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When addiction entered my family, I never imagined the twists, heartbreaks, and small miracles that would unfold. In this episode, I share my personal journey as a mom walking alongside my son through his battle with opioid addiction. From the terrifying nights of detox to the hope found in treatment programs and even incarceration, this story is one of resilience, faith, and love that refuses to give up.

I talk about the importance of getting on the same page as parents, the hidden costs of addiction, and why your own healing matters as much as your child’s. This is not just their fight—it’s yours, too. I also share how faith and community played an unexpected role in carrying us through the darkest moments.

If you are a parent or loved one of someone struggling with addiction, my story is for you. I want you to know that you are not alone, and that there is hope even in the most painful chapters. Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to listen, to support, and to walk with you.

Don’t forget to grab the meditation link below that supports you if you are going through the journey of loving someone who loves drugs more than themselves.

I would love to support you as a coach. If you’re here, it’s because you know someone or you yourself are going through this horrific experience. You’re not alone. And there is help – even if you have to be persistent to find what fits best for you.

I’d love to hear from you and your experience so far. In the mean time, please take good care of YOU.

You can email me at [email protected].

Your guided meditation can be found here: https://jennyaiello.com/sacred-space-meditation/

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With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

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Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
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© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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Addiction often doesn’t just cost lives — it can cost freedom, too. Every year, Americans spend roughly $10 billion incarcerating people for drug offenses. Imagine half a million lives behind bars, each costing taxpayers over $20,000 a year. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. Across the entire prison system, the U.S. spends more than $80 billion annually on corrections — money that could provide treatment, not just punishment.

But on a more personal level, I walk you through one of the hardest things life has presented to me … my son’s addiction. My goal is to educate you… to help you… to open your eyes to see what is possible and what is happening if your child is using opioids or other substances.

In this, and the next episode, I address key points for everyone who knows someone who is suffering from addiction:

• Financial Expectations/Pressures
• Legal System and Experiences
• Recovery Programs and Treatment Options
• The Recovery Process from withdrawals to full sobriety
• Insurance Issues
• Therapeutic Help (why it is so necessary for all of you)
• Family Dynamics
• Understanding The Addict and What Addiction Is
• Why it is called a Family Disease
• Codependency

Don’t forget to grab the meditation link below that supports you if you are going through the journey of loving someone who loves drugs more than themselves.

I would love to support you as a coach. If you’re here, it’s because you know someone or you yourself are going through this horrific experience. You’re not alone. And there is help – even if you have to be persistent to find what fits best for you.

I’d love to hear from you and your experience so far. In the mean time, please take good care of YOU.

You can email me at [email protected].

Your guided meditation can be found here: https://jennyaiello.com/sacred-space-meditation/

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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In this episode, I share not only some important facts and statistics about Alzheimer’s Disease, but also the deeply personal story of my own journey with my mom. From the early signs to the long, sacred goodbye, this is a raw and vulnerable reflection on caregiving, grief, guilt, and the quiet heartbreak of being slowly forgotten by someone you love. If you’ve walked this path — or are walking it now — I hope this episode brings you comfort, validation, and a reminder that you are not alone.

Alzheimer’s currently affects more than 6.9 million Americans, and that number is expected to double by 2060. This disease is growing rapidly, impacting not just those diagnosed but entire families who become caregivers, decision-makers, and emotional anchors. Whether you need support, perspective, or simply a place to exhale, this episode was made for you.


Your guided meditation can be found here: https://jennyaiello.com/sacred-space-meditation/

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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Jenny shares her personal journey of navigating the complexities of terminal illness, particularly focusing on her father's battle with cancer. She discusses the emotional challenges of anticipatory grief, the importance of hospice care, and the significance of creating meaningful memories during the final days.

Receiving the Diagnosis

• The moment everything changed during a routine doctor’s visit
• Initial coping responses: denial, grief, depression, and emotional numbness
• Trying to process “six months to live” while maintaining normalcy

Anticipatory Grief & Letting Go

• The emotional paradox of wanting to be close while needing space to grieve
• The powerful advice from my coach: “Grieve him now so you can be present later.”
• Writing his eulogy and letter as a healing and preparatory ritual

Finding Strength in Surrender

• Creating space to feel: baths, walks, naps, and solitude
• Support from my brother and husband during early processing

Presence Over Perfection

• Learning to show up with presence, not solutions
• Letting go of expectations and honoring my dad’s choices
• The quiet power of just sitting, listening, and holding space

Hospice: Angels in Human Form

• Bringing hospice in early and what they taught us
• Finding comfort in their calm guidance and spiritual insights
• How their visits transformed our journey

Sacred Ordinary Moments

• Weekly visits from friends and family
• His last outing: pancakes at IHOP with the men in the family
• Watching him light up with joy… and slowly fade with exhaustion

Final Wishes and Gifts

• Conversations about his “FUNeral” and planning ahead
• His legacy: love, humor, faith, and planning for the ones you leave behind
• Practical tips: from adaptive pajama shirts to bedside candy and cut straws

The Final Weeks

• The slow, quiet letting go: extended sleep, fewer words, closing eyes
• Candle ritual shared with extended family to feel connected
• Sacred and humorous moments: seeing the “mystic sea,” ringing the bell, jokes, and light tunnels

What the Dying Want You to Know

• They think about love, forgiveness, legacy, and peace
• What they most want to hear: “Thank you. I love you. It’s okay to go.”
• Give space, listen, avoid conflict, offer calm presence

The Final Breath

• His peaceful passing in the early morning hours
• The mystery and surreal sacredness of watching the spirit leave the body

Featured Quote

“The reality is that you will grieve forever. You will not 'get over' the loss... you will learn to carry it.”  — Elisabeth Kübler-Ross & David Kessler

Guided Meditation for this

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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As our parents age, a quiet and sacred role reversal begins. This episode tenderly explores how to become the guide without becoming the parent, and how to offer support without diminishing their dignity.

In this episode, Jenny invites you into the emotional, practical, and spiritual aspects of caring for aging parents. From knowing when to step in, to recognizing the subtle signs they need help, to navigating sibling disagreements and choosing assisted living with grace — this conversation is here to hold your heart.

What We Cover in This Episode:

1. Understanding the Demographic Shift - 

• Over 73 million Baby Boomers are now aged 61–79. 
• By 2030, every Boomer will be 65+ and many will require care. 
• Nearly 26 million Americans over 50 live alone — many of them aging without a safety net.

2. The Subtle Signs They May Need Help - 

• Changes in driving habits, medication confusion, financial vulnerability, hygiene, or a cluttered home may point to deeper concerns. 
• Often dismissed as "normal aging," these are signs that it may be time to gently step in.

3. Sensitive Conversations Without Shame - 

• How to ask your parent to stop driving, or let you help with finances or medications, in a way that feels respectful and honoring. 
• The importance of being invitational, not authoritarian.

4. The Rise of Financial Scams - 

• Including the real case of the “Gold Bar Gang”, a scam targeting the elderly by convincing them to convert savings into gold.
• Guidance on monitoring bank accounts with care and transparency.

5. Medical Oversight & Fall Prevention - 

• When and how to attend appointments or install fall-detection systems for safety — especially for seniors living alone.

6. Deciding on Assisted Living - 

• How to approach this conversation with sensitivity, not urgency. 
• Empowering your parent to be part of the process.

7. Sibling Disagreements - 

• Tips for managing family dynamics with compassion and clarity. 
• The value of professional mediation and keeping communication open and documented.

8. What It Costs to Care - 

• In-home care: ~$2,600–$5,300/month
• Assisted living: ~$6,000/month
• Nursing homes: Up to $10,600/month
• Average out-of-pocket cost for family caregivers: ~$600/month

Guided Meditation for the Caregiver’s Heart

Jenny also shares a soothing 10-minute meditation for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the responsibility of caring for aging parents. It’s a reminder that you are not alone, that you are capable, and that love will lead the way. https://jennyaiello.com/med

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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A raw, heart-opening look at the unseen anguish that drives someone to leave this world — and how spiritual understanding can help us begin to heal.

This episode is part of my own healing journey. It is one of the hardest things I have experienced so far in my lifetime. Although it happened almost 30 years ago, time hasn’t fully healed, but it showed so much grace.

In all, I hope this episode teaches us the importance of kindness in word and deed. The simplest teasing or joking could be a fatal blow to someone trying to hold on. It isn’t always the harsh bullying. And sometimes it’s our lack of attentiveness and presence. And sometimes it’s none of the above.

And as always, if anything in this episode triggers you, please get professional help.

Suicide & Spirituality — Key Insights We’ve Traced

• The numbers re-order our assumptions. In 2022, the highest suicide rates were not among teenagers but among our elders: 1 in every 4300 lives were lost to suicide in those 85 years and older, and 1 in every 5000 people 75–84. Take-away: despair spans the whole life arc, so prevention must as well — compassion for elders is as urgent as vigilance for youth.
• Presence does not equal control. Survivor guilt grows from the noble but impossible wish that our love could override another’s final choice. Recognizing the boundary between influence and responsibility frees us to grieve without self-condemnation and to channel love into living memorials instead of endless “if-only” loops.
• Faith can wound or soothe. Some Christian voices still frame suicide primarily as sin; others foreground grace. You will have to find your own Truth around it. Healthy spirituality holds both the sanctity of life and the mystery of mercy, allowing us to wrestle honestly without fear that our loved one is beyond hope.
• The psyche under siege. Research points to cognitive constriction — a tunnel vision where options vanish — and moral injury, the deep wound of betrayal or violated values, as powerful drivers of suicidal thinking.
• Shadow work & shared safety. All traditions teach that unacknowledged hurt spills outward. Bringing the shadow into light — through therapy, confession, somatic practice, community rituals — protects both the sufferer and the circle.
• Core invitation. Widen the field of belonging: visit the elder, text the teenager, check the friend who jokes too sharply. Offer listening before advice, presence before solutions. Professional help and sacred ritual together weave the net that catches a soul when its own vision has narrowed to a single door.

In short: Suicide sits heavy on our hearts. It also sits at the crossroads of statistics, spirituality, psychology, and community. Our most faithful response is not tidy answers but fierce, informed compassion — a commitment to m

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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This show addresses the topic of Pregnancy Loss… no matter how recent or long ago it was, there’s probably a part of you stuck in that memory. It is so important to process grief no matter how it shows up. In this case, through pregnancy loss. In this episode, I share my experience with a pregnancy that wasn’t viable. But there are many other ways to lose a baby.

According to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, as many as 10 to 20% of known pregnancies end in miscarriage, and that number may be even higher when including early losses that happen before someone even knows they’re pregnant. 1 in 100 pregnancies is ectopic - a dangerous and nonviable condition. Stillbirths, which occur after 20 weeks of gestation, affect about 1 in 160 pregnancies in the U.S.

These numbers don’t just represent data — they represent women, families, hearts broken quietly behind closed doors.

And how we each process that loss can look incredibly different.

Don’t miss your free meditation specific to pregnancy loss here: https://jennyaiello.com/meditation-thank-you/

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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This show addresses the topic of divorce. If you’re not quite sure yet, or if you’re in the middle of it, or if it's years if not decades behind you, there’s always an invitation to heal.

As of 2024, divorce statistics in the United States reveal some sobering insights:

• Approximately 41% of first marriages end in divorce.
• About 60% of second marriages conclude in divorce.
• Third marriages have a divorce rate of approximately 73%.
• The average duration of a first marriage before divorce is around eight years.
• Second marriages tend to last slightly longer, averaging about 11 years before divorce.

Primary Causes of Divorce:

• Basic incompatibility is cited as the leading cause which indicates that both parties probably had wounds and traumas that they were not aware of that were wrecking their relationship. This reason accounted for 43% of divorces.
• Infidelity follows at 28%.
• Financial issues contribute to 22% of divorces.

No matter what the story is around a divorce, everyone involved has an opportunity to heal. Society often encourages us to take sides, hold onto resentments, feel victimized while broken. It can be extremely vulnerable. It’s so important, when you are ready (and as soon as possible) to revisit the story. Take responsibility for how you got there, and then let go of everything that you don’t want to carry forward.

Where ever you are in your post divorce era... let me just say this:

• Let go of any resentments.
• Let go of anger and bitterness.
• Learn to forgive.
• Take responsibility for where you are and how you got here.
• Push your ego aside and quit being right.
• Please don’t stay stuck in victim.
• Examine what beliefs lie underneath your divorce and transform them into something positive. Because you can.

Here’s the free meditation I mentioned! Download and keep it for whenever you need to be lifted back up. https://jennyaiello.com/meditation-thank-you/

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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This show is the kick-off to some really vulnerable and heart-felt episodes about MY real life. In this episode, I revealed some very vulnerable moments of my life, and I am giving you a glimpse into the deeper and more healing episodes coming up. If you have ever experienced one of the following, you will want to tune in!

1. Divorce - Definitely a plot twist in my life plan!
2. Miscarriage - How it differs from other losses.
3. Losing Someone to Suicide - Another blow in my life plan, and the incredibly difficult grief that follows.
4. Parenting Our Parents - Changing roles as our parents grow old. We will also cover topics such as elder abuse, scams, and when a guardianship and/or conservatorship are necessary.
5. Caring for a Terminally Ill Family Member - Depending on the illness, there are moments that are sacred and there are moments of sadness. It is definitely a journey I didn’t want to be on, but found many gifts along the way.
6. Caring for a Family Member with Dementia or Alzheimer’s Disease - This was probably the hardest journey of all. In this episode I will share some of the most challenging moments, along with some funny stories about this ever so cruel disease.
7. When Both Parents Are Gone - No matter how old you are, you might feel so much older once you don’t have a parent anymore. It’s easy to experience an identity shift. I felt lost at sea for almost a year. Looking for ways to navigate myself.  I will share tips on how to move forward through grief.
8. Substance Use and Mood Disorders - As you will hear in each episode, most of what I experienced as difficult were the things I never saw coming. Facing the challenges of mental health issues, along with substance use issues, was never on my radar. Yet this has been the longest and hardest of my healing journey. I vulnerably share how I missed the importance of learning all I could and then doing a better job navigating and advocating for my children.
9. The Opioid Crisis and Addiction - Learning to walk the tightrope between enabling and supporting someone who is struggling with an addiction was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. This one is raw. This one will be quite candid about the lengths a mother will go to in order to protect her child, no matter how old they are. This one touches all of us in some way.
10. Estrangement - What a plot twist this one was! When my daughter walked away from our family 13 years ago, I never would have imagined it would last this long. I grieved. I begged. I mourned. I prayed. And then I realized that I wasn’t going to get what I wanted, but I sure was getting what I needed. I needed to learn how to unhook from codependency (again). I had to learn to be whole and complete… on my own… and not give my power away so easily. Tune in. This one is a big one too!
11. Narcissism - What it looks like. How it sneaks in

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello

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I’m thrilled to welcome Mary Miele — seasoned educator, Learning Specialist, and founder of Evolved Education Company — as our guest today! We’re celebrating the release of her 15th publication, The Power of Questioning: A Problem-Solving Model for Helping Students Learn Better.

With over 30 years in education, Mary has dedicated her career to supporting students, families, and schools. She’s a trusted expert in whole-child education, school placement, and executive functioning, and her latest book introduces a transformative approach to teaching and learning. Through the art of questioning, educators, parents, and students gain powerful tools to unlock potential. As a coach, you can imagine how excited I was when she shared this new resource with me!

Inside The Power of Questioning, Mary presents a structured, five-step framework that brings curiosity, clarity, and purpose to any educational challenge. Her model encourages students and educators to:

1. Identify the Problem – Clearly define the challenge without judgment.
2. Ask Questions – Break the problem down with open-ended and targeted questions. HOW questions are especially powerful! (Mary shares fascinating research on this.)
3. Increase Knowledge – Research, observe, and gather insights to deepen understanding.
4. Experiment with Solutions – Develop and test strategies, refining them based on feedback.
5. Reflect and Grow – Evaluate outcomes, learn from the process, and build future skills.

This model not only strengthens problem-solving skills, but also boosts executive functioning, critical thinking, and resilience — a game-changer for both students and educators.

If you have a student in your life, you’ll want to hear Mary’s approach to problem-solving. And if that student is struggling, this book is a must-read!

A huge thank you to Mary Miele for her unwavering passion, dedication, and advocacy for students. Her work is truly transforming education!

The Power of Questioning is available here on Amazon.

Mary's contact information:

• Website: https://evolvededucationcompany.com/
• Mary's personal consulting page: https://evolvededucationcompany.com/consulting-with-mary-miele/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolveded/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/evolvededucationcompany/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EvolvedEducation
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EvolvedEdCo

Support the show

With Love, Jenny is a space for healing stories that nurture human connection, inspire emotional wellness, and encourage personal transformation. Each episode shares real experiences of resilience to remind you that you are never alone on your journey.

Let's Connect!

Website: www.jennyaiello.com
Instagram: @wholehearted_coaching
Facebook: Jenny Aiello - Wholehearted Coaching

Please click the button to subscribe so you don't miss any episodes and leave a review if your favorite podcast app has that ability. Thank you!

© 2023 - 2025 Jenny Aiello