Redefining Grief with Herdyne Mercier, LCSW

Rho Thomas: The Power Of Self Love

Episode Introduction

When was the last time you thought to yourself that you were more important than anybody else, that it was only when you took care of yourself that you could take care of others and be fully functional? If you've been missing out on prioritizing yourself, this episode is for you.

Today, I speak with Rho Thomas, an attorney and financial coach who believes that true wealth is having control of your time. I describe Rho as a woman who is not only self-anchored but truly loves herself.

Rho talks about her naïve shift to motherhood and how she lost herself to parenting and responsibilities. By the time she had her second child, she had understood that she needed to go to therapy. One question from her therapist changed her way of thinking completely- "What do you want to be?". While she was explaining how she was failing as a mother, a wife, and a lawyer, her therapist made her realize that she couldn't be any of the above without making time for herself. Rho started to spend time in the morning by reading the Bible, praying, and just being herself, which made all the difference, especially during the pandemic.

Rho talks about her truth in life. She did not value herself the way that she valued everyone else in her life. It was when things were falling that she realized she had to put herself first.

Rho says that her therapist and her husband were the two most essential connections she had in life. She also discusses the importance of being financially independent. Rho explains that financial freedom to her is in control, staying flexible with her finances and having time in life. Towards the end, she tells how our mindset is everything. She also talks about the financial bondage we put ourselves into due to our entitlement mentality and comparing tendencies with others' lives.

Tune in to the episode to learn Rho's incredible transformative journey in life.

About Our Guest 

Rho Thomas is a trademark lawyer and financial coach who helps lawyers regain control of their time, build wealth, and live the lives of freedom and choice they deserve. She is also the host of the Wealthyesque podcast.

Episode Quotes

• “Telling the truth truly liberates the soul.”- Herdyne [00:58]

•  “Our mindset is everything. “- Rho [33:11]

• “The story that you tell yourself is optional.” - Rho [33:47]

• “Trying to like comparison just never leads to good things.” -  Rho [33:47]

• “Your life is unique to you.” - Herdyne [37:50]

• “Being able to have that control to take back control of your life is so important.” - Rho [39:20]

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

• What have you learned about yourself? [40:24]

I've learned that I am the most important person in my life, like if I'm not okay, I can't show up for other people to make sure that they're okay. And then the second thing is, I've learned that I can do hard things, like, going through and really facing that debt.

• If today was your last day on earth, and you had five words or less, what would they be? [41:17]

Don't forget to live.

• During your hard times what song gets you through? [42:59]

Hezekiah walker - Grateful

Episode Time-Stamps

• [07:58] – Herdyne describes Rho Thomas

Reference Links

• YouTube link to Rho’s favorite song: 

Hezekiah Walker – Grateful 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE0W-kQyz6A

Connect with Rho

• Website: https://www.rhothomas.com/

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

• To learn more about Redefining Grief: http://herdynemercier.com

Social Media

Podcast Hashtag: #RedefiningGrief    #TheChiefGriefCrusader    #HerdyneMercier   #MercierWellness    #Grief  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herdyne-mercier-lcsw-chief-grief-crusader-6050aa72/

Brandi Harvey: Beyond Her

Episode Introduction

Many of us hover over unworthy relationships and habits only because saying a healthy goodbye is hard. We end up going back to places that don't serve us, being around people who don't love us, and spending money on things that deplete us. Today, we learn that there's a lot more to us than we can visualize.

In this episode, Herdyne speaks with Brandi Harvey, Founder of Beyond Her, a network for women at the start of their careers who want to feel less like imposters and more like instigators. Brandi and Herdyne speak their hearts out on topics of life, fitness, and goals. Herdyne also talks about how she was searching for wisdom three years ago and how her life changed when she ultimately found it and enabled her to air her first podcast episode; gave her purpose.

Brandi narrates her life journey to us. She recalls that her first podcast made her life upside down; she got fired, had to commit to going to therapy every year, and expanded her podcast theme to mental and physical health from physical health alone. Her journey with silent meditation taught her to be still. We learn that people find it hard to heal because they confront situations not knowing how to be still. Brandi also discloses her freedom class which mainly focuses on healing your life from the inside out and not on money and fame.

Attaining stillness isn't an easy journey. Brandi shares that she had to confront the silence band after being still, feeling irritated and angry. But she continued to practice the same because she wanted to elevate herself.

Herdyne talks about healthy goodbyes. Brandi remembers how she had to talk about the first chapter – Lose to Win, of her book in a conference and describes how we have a scarcity and poverty mentality that causes us to refrain from healthy goodbyes to things that we might not receive any more than that. Herdyne talks about her struggle with the concept of Lose to Win when she had to manage the household when her husband had to go for a Ph.D. It led her to commit to a strict diet to get fit. Here, Brandi also talks about how commitment is not a feeling but an agreement you make to become better.

Brandi's advice to anyone grieving is to ditch their story and old beliefs. She believes there's power in having somebody else hold you accountable – a physical fitness trainer takes you out of the comfort zone that restrains you from getting fit.

We are destined from the time of Adam, a gardener, to cultivate spirits just like a gardener grows plants. Towards the close of the episode, Brandi reminds us that our word is our wand and that we need to master our emotions to become mentally and physically healthy. Listen in, for there's a lot of wisdom in their words!

About Our Guest

Brandi Harvey is the founder of Beyond Her, an active wellness brand for women of color. She believes women should eat well, give a damn and move their bodies daily. Committed to teaching women how to care for their mind, body and spirit, Brandi is recognized as both a national and international speaker. 

Episode Quotes

• “Life is not perfect, but the requirement of living it is.” - Herdyne [00:43]

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

• What have you learned about yourself since redefining the grief in your life? [57:33]

I've learned that I'm worthy and that I'm deserving of this big life. I spent so much time trying to downplay myself and fit into a box that other people thought, the expectations that they have for me, and I think I'm redefining the grief of my own life of losing the wind of shedding the old beliefs of leaving some things, some people behind, and know that I am deserving of this big life that God has promised me.

• If today was your last day on earth, what would be your five words or less? [58:21]

I lived it all the way.

• What's that song that gets you through? [59:33]

 Sounds of blackness - I believe.

Episode Time-Stamps

• [05:56] –Herdyne introduces Brandi

Reference Links

• YouTube link to Brandi’s favorite song:

Sounds of blackness - I believe

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEY7vxjuuBA

• Book:

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/breakthrough-sold-separately-brandi-harvey/1133935795

Connect with Brandi

• Website: https://beyondher.co/about/

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

• To learn more about Redefining Grief: http://herdynemercier.com

Social Media

Podcast Hashtag: #RedefiningGrief    #TheChiefGriefCrusader    #HerdyneMercier   #MercierWellness    #Grief 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herdyne-mercier-lcsw-chief-grief-crusader-6050aa72/

Jameson Mercier: Hope Is Not A Plan

Episode Introduction

According to Jameson Mercier, "Hope is not a plan". We need to understand that possessing a practical plan for our goals and then working sincerely to make it work is the starting point of liberation. In this episode, my husband Jameson Mercier sits with me and talks about honesty, sincerity, hope and plans, and how these elements are vital for keeping your relationships content and happy.

Jameson describes his thoughts on why hoping could not amount to planning. "If hope is your plan, then you have a problem." He narrates how he drew inspiration from Obama's mantra about hoping and possessing an effective plan. "And so he did not just have hope, but he also had a plan." To heal, one requires to set a goal and come up with a plan. He considers reverse engineering as the finest possible way to achieve that. "And so that way you figure out what your steps were all along the way."

Jameson's ideas on sincerity and truthfulness in a relationship are unique and unparalleled. He says that being sincere with yourself is key to achieving liberation. Jameson and Herdyne talk about the reason why some individuals prefer to remain in their comfortable world, even if it means living in despair.

Jameson and Herdyne talk about how truthfulness in communication is the most authentic form of intimacy. Jameson understands the seriousness of getting to the root of one's degree of legitimacy. If you speak the truth today only to lie tomorrow, there's nothing you can accomplish in that relationship.

Herdyne narrates an episode when she was handling some issues and did not have the strength to deal with the world. She felt hypocritical even though she was able to move on with the day. She claims she felt content and satisfied and that she decided to face the day no matter what she was dealing with.

We also discuss why acknowledging your sentiments is necessary and why society needs to stop believing that men alone have to save their significant other. Assumptions and expectations out of a relationship could be deceived and would be like setting unrealistic hopes on your significant other.

Listen to the episode today as Jameson also gives expert advice on nurturing relationships and facing challenges together!

About Our Guest

Dr. Jameson Mercier specializes in Marriage/ Family Therapy, parenthood and Relationship Systems Consulting. He is a professional relationship counselor who realizes that in order to make a relationship function, you have to put the effort. He believes that hopelessness is usually felt when disputing about money, infidelity, poor communication, or lack of intimacy.

Episode Quotes

• “If hope is your plan, then you have a problem.”- Jameson[08:00]

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

• What have you learned from the fourteen years of your life journey? [49:24]

Any two people, if they want to have a successful marriage, and they are committed to achieving that, they will have it. There's nothing that says that it is reserved for soulmates. And so after 14 years of being married, I've essentially learned that if we are going to be together, I have to get out of the fantasy so that we grow to love each other authentically, for who the person is. It's not about being my soulmate; it’s about being my teammate.

Episode Time-Stamps

• [06:55] - Jameson explains how hope is not a plan.

Connect with Jameson

• Website: https://mercierwellness.com/

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

• To learn more about Redefining Grief: http://herdynemercier.com

Social Media

Podcast Hashtag: #RedefiningGrief    #TheChiefGriefCrusader    #HerdyneMercier   #MercierWellness    #Grief 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herdyne-mercier-lcsw-chief-grief-crusader-6050aa72/

Sinika Calloway

Episode Introduction

Do you know that at times of grief, knowing that there are others who have been where you are can greatly help you heal? There is inexplicable power in human connection.  

In this episode of Redefining Grief, I speak with Sinika Calloway about her journey through grief and where it took her in life. Sinika’s life draws a parallel to my life personally and there’s a lot of good things to imbibe from this healing conversation.

Sinika narrates those incidents that led her to a phase of profound grief. She lost her mother to multiple sclerosis when she was eight years old. Two months after her death, her maternal grandfather passed away too. It was when she was getting over this compounded loss that her father passed away due to prostate cancer two years later. Though the death of her mother was anticipated, her grandfather’s was a sudden demise. And her father died in a hospice in another state. 

Losing a loved one brings in pain that’s hard to get over, and when it is sudden and unanticipated, you don’t even have a fair chance to say goodbye. As Sinika shares the painful backstory, she also throws light on something more important. She learned that there are others like her with either the same story as she does, or have experienced the loss and grief that she has in life.

Learn today some healing superpowers that Sinika shares with us. She suggests 4 keys to getting over grief, the number one factor being connection. When you're grieving, you have to connect. The next one is to educate yourself on how to cope and get through the pain. Equally important are self-care and faith. You need a source to get through.

Today, we also talk about Sinika’s professional life and why she started Grief Tees and Things. Listen in to learn the transformational journey of this incredible female entrepreneur!

About Our Guest 

Sinika is an author, life coach, and entrepreneur who has fought different battles to reach where she is today. Her success did not come without hard work, faith in God, a support system, and adversity. After both her parents died, she was taken in and raised by her aunt who treated her as her own child. Overcoming poverty, a single-family home, low socioeconomic status, the death of both parents at the age of 8 & 10, and low performing schools, Sinika is an example that faith in God, and determination, along with a strong support system is vital to success. Sinika hopes to be a beacon of hope for others and to inspire people to achieve success in life despite a lack of resources.

Episode Quotes

• “How I beat death, is by allowing myself to be present at the moment with them. And being very aware that this can be our last time together.”- Herdyne [07:21]

• “I feel like just connecting with other people, knowing that you're not alone has been the biggest lesson for me, like, having dealt with the things I've dealt with as an adult with grief.” - Sinika [09:27]

• “We all grieve, but everyone's journey is different. Everyone is unique, and therefore everyone's journey is going to be different.”- Sinika [19:24]

• “If you want to be at a place in your life where you can sip tea with joy, you have to be committed to doing the work that's actually actively, actively, actively healing.” - Herdyne [25:55]

• “If you do not process or come to a place of completion, with the unresolved grief around moving, it would take you into your new season and flip you upside down and spit you out if you don't deal with it. “- Herdyne [29:27]

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

• What have you learned about yourself since redefining your grief journey? [26:33]

I am not alone. I'm not alone, that there are others who do have a story like mine. And if their story is not like mine, they also know grief, and they also know loss. 

• If today was your last day on earth, and you were granted five words or less? What would it be? [27:18]

For those who are still alive- to never give up; never give up on your dreams or your goals.

• During your hard times, what's that one song that just gets you through? [27:53]

I Am Not Alone by Kari Jobe

Episode Time-Stamps

• [12:06] Sinika’s advice for parents or caretakers taking care of God’s children

Reference Links

• YouTube link to Sinika’s favorite song: 

I Am Not Alone by Kari Jobe

Connect with Sinika

• Website: https://sinikacalloway.com/

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

• To learn more about Redefining Grief: http://herdynemercier.com

Social Media

Podcast Hashtag: #RedefiningGrief    #TheChiefGriefCrusader    #HerdyneMercier   #MercierWellness    #Grief  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herdyne-mercier-lcsw-chief-grief-crusader-6050aa72/

Marshawn Evans Daniels

Episode Introduction

Do you want to discover the path to your life’s purpose? However hard the course may appear to you, this episode would change your belief altogether. I welcome on the show today Marshawn Evans Daniels, a reinvention strategist and life coach, mentoring women worldwide to live bolder in the areas of faith and business. As a serial entrepreneur, TV personality, creator of the Godfidence movement, and founder of SHE Profits, she helps women turn ideas into income and faith into action!

Learn how you can step into your life’s mission by believing bigger. Marshawn shares the 5 keys that can take you to achieve that. Listen in!

Marshawn shares how it all started and how she was brought to this point in life where she chose to be a coach. It was six days before her wedding that she found out her fiancé was cheating on her. More intimidating was the fact that she had just left her law firm- a successful sports agency managing NFL, NBA players, and WNBA players. It was the fastest-growing woman in sports agency in the country in less than a year. Her first client was the highest-paid defensive in the NFL. Life was all good. But she let it go. And that too, for the wedding. She compromised on her choices to go for something that gave her more happiness and fulfillment. Love, to her, was more substantial than business, and becoming a mom to three kids was something that tapped into real significance. 

After that incident, she opened Believe Bigger, with the story of how she found out on a Monday morning before her Saturday wedding while her fiancé is on the plane that he had been cheating all along. She got out of the slumber to create a promising life ahead.

Marshawn shares the 5 stages to believing bigger and living your life’s purpose. Firstly, face it to fix it. The five words that most of us are embarrassed to say out loud is “I don’t know my purpose.” So, discovery is the first step.

Secondly, know what you want to be. Discover your talent. Next up, break out of your comfort zone. God didn’t put us here for the purpose of retirement.

The fourth is knowing your gifts. Find out what you were designed to be in life. Lastly, know your influence. Your life is not your own. You have been brought to this for some reason. Uncover that.

As you listen through this episode, ask yourself what your story, purpose, and voice are? The best is within you and is waiting to manifest through you.

“Have you stopped believing?”

About Our Guest 

Marshawn Evans Daniels is a reinvention strategist, founder of the Godfidence movement, and is a millionaire faith and business mentor to everyday individuals looking to build an extraordinary life and business. She is also a serial entrepreneur, TV personality, and founder of SHE Profits, where she helps women turn ideas into income and faith into action. She has authored 2 books - Believe Bigger and 100 days of believing bigger. 

Episode Quotes

• “Purpose isn't about what you do. The purpose is a byproduct of who you are, it's the function of your life, it's the essence of who you are, it's actually more personality-based than producing.” - Marshawn [11:34]

• “It's important for us to understand there are certain things that we've learned that have been navigating our lives that have gotten us here, but it won't get us to where we're designed to be.” - Marshawn [15:32]

• “One of the things I dare you to actually be bold enough to believe about yourself is, that you are an addict. “- Marshawn [18:26]

• “Curiosity is the seed of greatness, it is the doorway into your calling, but you can't enter into your calling and have a burning bush moment if you're not curious enough, because it's curiosity that enables us to see the bush that's burning.” - Marshawn [19:46]

• “Every life shift first begins with a mind shift. And the Split Rock comes in the disruption, comes in the betrayal, comes into your life to break you up with an outdated version of yourself.” - Marshawn [26:49]

• “We're taught retirement not reinvention. We're taught predictability, not peculiarity. - Marshawn [28:16]

Episode Time-Stamps

• [07:03] – Marshawn introduces herself

Reference Links

• Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels

• 100 Days of Believing Bigger By Marshawn Evans Daniels

Connect with Marshawn

• Website: https://marshawn.com/

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

• To learn more about Redefining Grief: http://herdynemercier.com 

Social Media

Podcast Hashtag: #RedefiningGrief    #TheChiefGriefCrusader    #HerdyneMercier   #MercierWellness    #Grief  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herdyne-mercier-lcsw-chief-grief-crusader-6050aa72/

Jazlyn Denise: The Prayer Playbook

Episode Introduction

Things that you have been destined for need not happen to you in challenging ways always. Have you known how mysteriously you could be brought to understanding your life's purpose? Listen in to this episode of Redefining Grief as I introduce to you Jazlyn Denise, a professional prayer coach, real estate expert, fundraising professional, author, and public speaker.

Jazlyn truly believes in living out her life's purpose and has chosen to do so in all areas of her life. She was born and raised in the church and has hence, over the years, seen people's lives transform through the Word of God. There has never been a time in her life where she didn't know who God was- he's always been a constant source of power and wisdom.

Her journey as an adolescent mother has the power to revolutionize society's norms of motherhood and a promising career. Jazlyn had her son when only 19. She did that because life left her with no choice other than to have the baby. But her responsibilities as a mother did not stop her from pursuing her dream career. She graduated as a single mother and did so, along with students who couldn't achieve the feat despite leading an everyday life. She says had it been not for her son, she wouldn't have lived her best life and hustled on her job and responsibilities.

She jokingly says that both herself and her son have had the degrees together because he was on her hip all the time she attended them. This had helped him value education. He knows there are no shortcuts to success and cannot make any excuses for not doing his part well.

Jazlyn shares how she found out she was destined to be a prayer coach. Helping others with the power of prayers has been something she did for the longest time. It ultimately found her life's calling. She wanted that to be in alignment with the Word of God. If your purpose is grounded in love and authority, anything else is not his voice.

Do you find yourselves wrestling in your faith? The faith anchor allows us to examine those feelings and move forward towards healing. Jazlyn Denise's principles of faith, love, inspiration, integrity, and gratitude are all that enriches the very soul of our existence. I am absolutely thrilled to share with you this episode. Join in and make the best out of these few minutes of your life!

About Our Guest

Episode Quotes

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

That I have more power through God than I thought I would have

● If today was your last day on earth, and you were granted five words or less? What would it be? [41:52]

I know I did well.

● During your hard times, what's that one song that just gets you through? [42:54]

For Every Mountain by The Kurt Carr and The Kurt Carr singers; Angel by Anita Baker

Episode Time-Stamps

Reference Links

Anita Baker’s Angel

Connect with Jazlyn

● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazlyn_denise_/

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jazlyn.denise.1

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

● To advertise on the podcast: [email protected]

● For questions about booking or sponsoring the podcast: [email protected]

● To schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/mercier-wellness/consultation or

● To check out all our past episodes: http://herdynemercier.com/#podcast

Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn:

J. Nicole Jones - The Grief Bully

Episode Introduction

When times are hard and grief has hit over, how do you know if you really want to feel better? Sometimes, life wants us to embrace the happy and sad times and not run away from them. But when grief robs you off of life’s joys, allow yourself to bully it in return.

Wondering if you could actually do that? Join me on this episode of the Redefining Grief podcast as I interview speaker, podcast host of the Grief Bully podcast, and life impactor, .J. Nicole Jones. She plans to impact your life by communicating to you that you have to learn how to thrive, create a healthier place for yourself, and learn the importance of managing your grief journey. Listen in!

Nicole has experienced loss in extreme ways in her life. It all began in 2013 when she faced the death of her friend. Then, in 2016, her grandmother died. When things had been settling slowly, in 2019, she lost her father also. This was when grief started taking her downhill. She realized people needed to have open conversations about their pain and sufferings to bully grief in its overpowering form. Her podcast, she says, is a vehicle for other people to share their stories. And that works as a coping skill.

We learn today how the five grief anchors can actually help you in your healing journey. Sometimes, people do not realize how they become so familiar in their grieving that they do not make an effort to or want to come out of it. The trauma, the pain, the agony, the discomfort, all of that becomes familiar. And it feels more comfortable to be there. Nicole

Nicole’s podcast and her social media are all about educating individuals on grief, especially if you have lost someone. Telling also that you’re not alone in the process, her words make you feel good. To know there is somebody else spreading this right message that you too can be empowered, enlightened, and educated about your grief journey, is therapeutic in itself.

If you have been struggling to embrace life and explore its opportunities and joys for grief always clouded your sight, these few minutes of listening would do the magic for you!

About Our Guest

Episode Quotes

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

● What have you learned about yourself since redefining your grief journey? [31:52]

That I trust me. I trust myself and my emotions. I don't know if I always did that because I think it came with a certain level of needed vulnerability that can be uncomfortable and scary.

● If today was your last day on earth, and you were granted five words or less? What would it be? [33:35]

Keep the legacy going

● During your hard times, what's that one song that just gets you through? [35:48]

It ain't over by the Clark sisters.

Episode Time-Stamps

● [09:12] - Nicole shares her life story with us

Reference Links

● Book:

Connect with Nicole

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-nicole-jones-aa3900193

● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/i_am_jnicole/

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/417772959025040/

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

● To advertise on the podcast: [email protected]

● For questions about booking or sponsoring the podcast: [email protected]

● To schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/mercier-wellness/consultation or

● To check out all our past episodes: http://herdynemercier.com/#podcast

Social Media

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn:

Jessie May Wolfe

Episode Introduction

Some of us have a wall around our hearts that we're afraid to allow through or break. Do you realize this is robbing you of living your life's purpose? If you need to set free from its clutches, I firmly believe that this episode will help you.  Tune in today as I converse with Jessie May Wolfe, a brave heart leader, speaker, visionary, and founder of the HeartRise movement, which was born out of her genuine curiosity to understand how interconnected we all are.

Jessie shares being an empath ever since she could remember. She recollects that she has always been super-sensitive and a very heartful person, that heartfulness has been her guiding light in her life's journey. She advocates acknowledging the places and spaces or experiences that bring up hard memories because usually there's resistance. It helps in not letting ourselves feel there the resistance.

Losing her father, which she did eight years ago, was on multiple levels, a profound grief experience in her life. Her sister was pregnant and due in two weeks, and all of it added to the trauma. She shares how she stayed and spooned her mother for a month and cried it out until she could reorient herself and felt through it. In her words, "The heart is so the epicenter of who I am and what I believe makes us all who we are, that connection with someone we love; to lose them really is the sort of emancipation of the most intense grief that I've ever experienced." Following this was the loss of her fur baby, which also hit her hard.

To anyone who's feeling stuck, Jessie explains why bringing our hands to our heart and just taking some long, easy breaths might help alleviate the pain at most times. We have an instinct to know that this is our emotional center, our resource center.

We all want to believe in the heart, but we're doing it from the head. We want to breathe and just let ourselves feel what is actually in there that we've been holding. 'Rise' in the HeartRise preaches just that. Rise stands for Radiant Integral Soul Energy. Jessie voices the rhythm of see, feel, free, and flow to help you live through your grief journey.

With this, I welcome all of you to the Women Wisdom Freedom series! I hope this episode lights the way out through your grief experiences. Join in!

About Our Guest

Jessie May Wolfe is a brave heart leader, speaker, and visionary. She empowers teams of creatives, entrepreneurs, and executives around the world using the HeartRise Method. Following her gift of heartfulness and empathy, Jessie started the movement to help people heal through their grief journeys. HeartRise was born out of her genuine curiosity to understand how interconnected we all are.

Episode Quotes

• “I think of all the clients who have built really a wall, and certain clients have really built a cemented wall around their heart because they don't ever want to feel that first heartbreak again.” - Herdyne [10:29]

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

• What have you learned about yourself since redefining your grief journey? [41:14]

I have learned that I am stronger when I allow myself to fully come through it. That the courage lives on the other side of coming undone.

• If today was your last day on earth, and you were granted five words or less? What would it be? [42:37]

I love you

• During your hard times, what's that one song that just gets you through? [44:40]

‘Hallelujah’ and ‘You Are My Sunshine’.

Episode Time-Stamps

• [03:46] - Introducing Jessie May

Reference Links

• YouTube link to Jessie’s favorite songs:

1. You are my sunshine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGa3zFRqDn4

• Book:

1. Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans Daniels.

Connect with Jessie

• Website: https://www.heartrisemovement.com/founder

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

• To learn more about Redefining Grief: http://herdynemercier.com

Social Media

Podcast Hashtag: #RedefiningGrief    #TheChiefGriefCrusader    #HerdyneMercier   #MercierWellness    #Grief 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/herdyne-mercier-lcsw-chief-grief-crusader-6050aa72/

Patrice Washington - Redefining Wealth

Episode Introduction

This is a special episode of the Redefining Grief Podcast. Our guest today is my dearest friend and personal business coach, Patrice Washington. She is a professional finance expert, America's money Maven turned holistic lifestyle innovator, award-winning author, and host of the Redefining Wealth podcast. She has used her podcast to teach millions of people that wealth is much more than money and not materialistic things. And I'm one of those individuals that she has taught that to.

If passion is about what energizes you, and purpose is what defines how you serve others. Why are money, influence, prestige, and notoriety not important things to consider in life? Patrice explains why she doesn't think there is anything wrong with considering them essential.

She also explains what the truth about her journey has been for her. She believes God is calling her to teach the women that she serves that this journey doesn't have to have all this stress, struggle, and strife, that if we are indeed in alignment, there are so many things that we will be attracted to. She believes the Lord is teaching her how to be still.

Patrice has, for years, tried to earn her family's love. She has always wanted to earn their affection. Growing up feeling really ugly about her appearance, she felt really unloved and

This brought her to get a real estate license at 19 and become a broker at 21, and though all this sounds great on paper, they were not done from a place of just being purpose-driven. It wasn't until she started therapy at 22 and started to work through those things she began to dig into her purpose. There was a lot of unlearning and undoing, healing, and forgiveness, and it took her to reach a point of stillness and forgive everyone who never even asked for it.

Patrice says, if you don't heal, whatever the grief and the trauma is, there's no separating, that. If things linger unresolved, there's no active healing going on. They are going to deal with you. And it is better to be proactive in dealing with them than reactive.

Patrice also talks about the importance of showing up confidently in whatever you do. She explains how you start feeling very differently about yourself by sharing how she could forgive others and live a better life that way.

As she rightly shares today, at a certain point, as your purpose starts to evolve, you realize that every opportunity that comes is not for you. Listen in to experience the magnitude of Patrice's words for yourself!

● Book:

Connect with Patrice

● LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/patricecunninghamwashington

● Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/seekwisdompcw

● Facebook: http://facebook.com/SeekWisdomPCW

Recommended Resources

● To advertise on the podcast: [email protected]

To check out all our past episodes: http://herdynemercier.com/#podcast

Social Media

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn:

Valerie Johnson-Reed: Triumph Over Tragedy 

Episode Introduction

What if you learned someday that your name symbolized what you will go through and how you will handle life? Some learnings could be just as incredible. Often, we have to not say anything at all, for it is not about saying something; it is about being there.

Join me on this episode of the Redefining Grief podcast as I interview a mindful and strong woman and my dear friend, Valerie Johnson-Reed. Valerie's moving journey in life is a ray of sunshine for anyone who wishes to declutter from the infinite hardships in life and feel heard.

Her journey through grief started when her only sibling, her brother, passed away after suddenly being diagnosed with a tumor on his back that left him paralyzed from the waist down and then from there, ending up having a blood clot traveled to the lungs. And then her mother, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer before her brother passed away, died. Giving her very little time to recover, life threw upon her another mishap. After celebrating 15 years of marriage with her husband, he was diagnosed with a rare form of soft tissue cancer. He passed away in the October of 2012.

The compounding loss left Valerie with a surreal feeling, and she didn't know how to get things done. It took a lot of God's grace and mercy and angels watching over her, she says, that she was able to get me where she is today. She also makes us understand why sometimes, you're not emotionally available to grieve during the service because you have the pressure of just making sure that everything goes right for your loved one. When her husband passed away, she had her children to look after and give strength to, and breaking down in front of them was never an option for her. She battled through it alone until finally making the move to ask for help.

Valerie recollects all that played the hardest for her. She was used to her husband getting things done for her, and his absence left her tormented. She knew not where to start and how to do all that he had been doing for her all this time. She shares how the strongest connection with God gave her the strength to endure the most challenging times and keep moving.

Voicing your emotions and speaking the truth is crucial to your journey to recovery. There is always someone who needs to hear what you have to deliver. Sometimes, you don't need to save those who grieve. You just have to be there to listen. Listen in and learn how Valerie's learnings could pave the way for your healing too!

About Our Guest

Valerie Johnson-Reed is a mother, author and motivational speaker. She started with Strong To The Finish Motivational Speaking, to create a positive place to talk about the hardness that life can bring. Realizing she needed to share her story with the others to give them hope, she wrote three books, ’ Through Micah's Eyes’, ‘Grieving under God's Grace’, and ‘Stay Strong, Finish Strong’. Having known grief and its immeasurable depth, Valerie’s words are invaluable wisdom to overcome life challenges and still emerge out of them victorious.

Episode Quotes

● “I remember certain things about the service, but I don't remember truly engaging in the service.” - Valerie [10:34]

● “They are in the business of making sure the funeral and the service goes right. And they're not in the business of emotionally being vulnerable, to be present, to grieve.” - Herdyne [13:13]

● “Once I started talking about it, I started feeling better. And then other people started coming saying you know what, I know somebody that needs to hear this.“ - Valerie [19:31]

● “When you go through what your life situations, having what we call grief, no matter what that grief may be, you empower yourself and you educate yourself.” - Herdyne [20:37]

● “Sometimes we have to not say anything at all. It's not about saying something, it's about being there. “ - Valerie [22:14]

● “People cannot support us when they are emotionally unavailable, because supporting us sometimes mean for them that they have to deal with the reality of the truth that is currently happening.” - Herdyne [26:30]

Redefining Grief Pearls of Wisdom, P.O.W., Questions

● What have you learned about yourself since redefining your grief journey? [42:30]

I have learned that there are times when I do need help. And then, I need to ask.

● If today was your last day on earth, and you were granted five words or less? What would it be? [43:36]

Enjoy life. Live. Be present.

● During your hard times, what's that one song that just gets you through? [45:02]

Breathing to me oh Lord by Fred Hammond and one by Marvin Sapp, ‘Not the time, Not the place’.

Episode Time-Stamps

● [05:11] - Valerie shares her grief journey with us

● [14:47] - How did the healing process look like for Valerie?

● [18:53] - Learn why the truth anchor is real

● [21:14] - Educating oneself on what to say

● [29:10] - You’re not alone

● [31:27] - What it was like putting the pieces back together and the emotional part of it

Reference Links

● YouTube link to Valerie’s favorite songs:

1. Breathe Into Me Oh Lord by Fred Hammond:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXiK1-84RHs

2. Not the time, Not the place by Marvin Sapp:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p7WwmCNkJMk

● Books by Valerie:

1. Through Micah's Eyes

2. Grieving under God's Grace

3. Stay Strong, Finish Strong!

Connect with Valerie

● Website: https://strongtothefinishmotivationals.com/

● Email: [email protected]

● Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/strongtothe/

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/strongtothefinishmotivational/

This episode is brought to you by our supportive, informative, and complimentary Grief

Crusader Community. Join here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/GriefCrusader

Recommended Resources

● To learn more about Redefining Grief: http://herdynemercier.com

● To advertise on the podcast: [email protected]

● For questions about booking or sponsoring the podcast: [email protected]

● To schedule a consultation: https://calendly.com/mercier-wellness/consultation or

http://herdynemercier.com/contact-me/

● To check out all our past episodes: http://herdynemercier.com/#podcast

Social Media

Podcast Hashtag: #RedefiningGrief #TheChiefGriefCrusader #HerdyneMercier

#MercierWellness #Grief

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/herdynemercier/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HERDYNEMERCIER

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/herdynemercierlcsw

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/herdyne

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/herdyne-mercier-lcsw-chief-grief-crusader-6050aa72/