Soul Stories With Jill

Today’s podcast is all about navigating the holidays with grace.

The holiday season often brings added stress, as our already busy schedules get even busier. It’s a time when extending grace—to others and to ourselves—is more important than ever. Grace allows us to manage the unexpected: tasks may not get done exactly when or how we want, and that’s okay.

We’ll also explore how to handle challenging family dynamics. Whether it’s relatives who push our buttons or bring up past issues, this episode offers strategies to approach these situations with patience and understanding.

Our guest is Carletta Smelcer, a counselor and educator in the field of counseling. Carletta shares her beautiful guidance and wisdom to help us navigate this season with more skills, peace, and of course, grace.

I hope you enjoy the episode! Wishing everyone Happy Holiday’s & New Year!

Dr. Carletta Smelcer

Lyons View Counseling

⁠[email protected]⁠

⁠https://lyonsviewcounseling.com/about/

Prior Episodes with Carletta:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000659513235

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000652726750

This the Part 2 of the story - Today’s guest has an incredible story to share. After unexpectedly losing her husband at just 42, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, as many of us can lose ourselves in our roles as significant others. Her path led her to a mission trip in Sudan, but what was meant to be a healing experience turned into a life-threatening ordeal when war broke out, leaving her and her group stranded.

In this episode, she recounts her harrowing tale of survival, reading from the journal she kept daily during that time. She shares vivid memories and powerful reflections about how they made it out. I encouraged her to share every detail, without holding back, because her story is so important for all of us to hear.

This conversation went nearly two hours, so we’re splitting it into two parts. Her journey is truly extraordinary—so much so that I told her it could easily be a movie someday. I hope you’re as moved and inspired by her story as I was.

Here’s the link to Kellie’s nonprofit in Augusta, GA…

http://Augustadreamcenter.org

Today’s guest has an incredible story to share. After unexpectedly losing her husband at just 42, she embarked on a journey of self-discovery, as many of us can lose ourselves in our roles as significant others. Her path led her to a mission trip in Sudan, but what was meant to be a healing experience turned into a life-threatening ordeal when war broke out, leaving her and her group stranded.

In this episode, she recounts her harrowing tale of survival, reading from the journal she kept daily during that time. She shares vivid memories and powerful reflections about how they made it out. I encouraged her to share every detail, without holding back, because her story is so important for all of us to hear.

This conversation went nearly two hours, so we’re splitting it into two parts. Her journey is truly extraordinary—so much so that I told her it could easily be a movie someday. I hope you’re as moved and inspired by her story as I was.

Here’s the link to Kellie’s nonprofit in Augusta, GA…

http://Augustadreamcenter.org

Today’s podcast covers the Netflix documentary Buy Now, a must-watch that dives deep into the tricks marketers use to get us to buy more and more. The film explores the cycle of overconsumption, the massive waste it generates, and the staggering amounts of unused or discarded products—everything from toys to electronics like phones, tablets, and TVs—piling up in landfills and polluting our oceans.

It also sheds light on how this waste is often exported to developing countries, creating toxic environments and harming vulnerable communities.

I highly recommend watching Buy Now. It’s not just eye-opening but also a call to action. Cutting back on consumption isn’t just good for the planet and future generations; it can also help your wallet. Hope you enjoy the episode!

Giving thanks is a powerful practice! It shifts your focus from what’s lacking to what you have, creating a sense of abundance. Gratitude fosters stronger connections, improves well-being, and reminds us to appreciate even the small moments. It’s a way to honor life and those around you. Ask yourself… what can I be thankful for today & what does gratitude mean to me?

This is a gentle reminder to prioritize filling your cup first. As we approach the holiday season—a time packed with extra activities on top of our already busy schedules—it’s important to keep up with your self-care routines. Whether it’s meditation, breathwork, massages, facials, bubble baths, reading a good book with a warm cup of tea, or anything else that rejuvenates your soul, these practices will help you navigate this hectic season while staying healthy.

I say this from personal experience. I fell out of my self-care routine recently and have been battling a cold for nearly a month. Let this be a lesson: take care of yourself so you can give to others from a full cup, not an empty one.

Today, we have a very special guest—the wizard behind the curtain and the incredible force who edits and releases Soul Stories with Jill. It felt only right to have him here to celebrate our one-year milestone: 52 weeks, a full year of sharing Soul Stories with Jill with you all. I’m so excited to introduce my brother, Matt Seymour!

In this episode, Matt reflects on how it all started with our very first episode on November 1st last year. He’ll share insights into his editing process, how he crafted the music for Soul Stories with Jill, and created some of our unique transitions. He’ll also talk about his inspiring journey into music therapy, now working at the Veterans Home in North Carolina, after transitioning from a job he dreaded to one he’s truly passionate about.

I hope you enjoy this episode, and here’s to another year (or many more!) of Soul Stories with Jill. Thanks so much for listening!

Things coming full circle is such a real phenomenon. You know when you meet someone, and you’re not entirely sure why your paths crossed? Then, months later, you meet another person who happens to know them too, and suddenly it all makes sense. It’s like the pieces start falling into place! Or when you take a job without knowing why, and then the next opportunity shows up, and you realize, ‘Thank goodness I took the last one; it set me up for this.’ Watching everything come together to complete the puzzle—it’s truly beautiful when life comes full circle.

Brushy Mnt St. Penitentiary

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000671697551

Why Certain Doors Open:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/soul-stories-with-jill/id1714550571?i=1000649043128

Tis the season for all things spooky! I’m sharing some of the haunted hotels I’ve stayed at, along with my personal experiences. There are plenty of hotels that are said to be genuinely haunted, and some even let you book the infamous rooms. These are some fun and eerie stories I’ve enjoyed reminiscing about, and I’m excited to share them with you. Below, you’ll find links to the hotels, where you can read more about their haunted histories. Enjoy!

https://seelbachhilton.com/

https://www.thereadhousehotel.com/hotel/

http://www.thomashousehotel.com/

When disaster strikes and information is overwhelming, it’s easy to get caught up in confusion. Instead of spreading misinformation or sharing content that might do more harm than good, sometimes the best approach is to pause and ask, “How can I serve?” Taking a step back to see how you can contribute positively—whether through donations, volunteering, or simply offering what you have—can make a real difference. Focusing on how you can serve is often the most impactful action you can take.

If you’re considering donating or finding a place to give, please ensure that the organization you choose uses the funds responsibly. You can also donate directly to my friend Dana via Venmo. She is helping her community in NC & mentioned that many immediate needs have been met, but ongoing support will be essential for some time. Let’s not forget about the people in North Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida who still need our help.

Venmo

@Dana-Whitby

PayPal

[email protected]