You Are Here: A Grateful Twist on Life’s Disruptions and Hardest Moments.

3 Things You Will Learn in this Episode:

• How a traumatic assault can send someone down a dangerous spiral

• Why storytelling is so much more than sharing your story

• The surprising reason creativity and human connection are your greatest tools for moving through difficult times

Dr. Xanthe Golenko is an Australian-born facilitator, researcher, and creative practitioner with nearly 20 years’ experience across academia and industry in health, ageing, and community wellbeing.

Based in France since 2024, Xanthe leads storytelling events, workshops, and retreats that explore identity, lived experience, and collective power. She helps people find a deeper sense of meaning across their lifespan.

Xanthe is the founder of Getting Artsy After 50, a platform exploring how creativity, collaboration, and community can enhance wellbeing in midlife and beyond. She maintains an active arts practice in painting and mixed-media sculpture, and is a published author on creative arts, health, and intergenerational practice.

Website: Getting Artsy After 50 https://gettingartsyafter50.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xanthe-golenko-b0993752/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/getting_artsy_after_50/

3 Things You WIll Learn in this Episode

1. Grief lives in your body, and why feeling it is the only real path forward.
2. You're either going to feel it now or feel it later... our relationship to discomfort and leaning into hard feelings is what actually unlocks transformation.
3. Real change starts with you, and it starts small. It begins with one committed act, repeated.

Episode Description

Sarah Nelson shares how postpartum depression after her second child’s birth and the sudden loss of her 16-year-old niece in 2015 led her from trying to “outrun” pain to discovering embodiment and healing through yoga, trauma-informed training, and holding space for others in grief and life transitions.

Sara discusses how grief is stored in the body, why emotions must be felt rather than numbed, and how grief is non-linear, as well as the importance of simply showing up for people instead of trying to fix them. The conversation highlights the power of women’s circles, community, and small daily commitments as catalysts for transformation, along with reflections on death, loss, and self-responsibility in healing.

Sarah describes her work through The SOL Journey and co-founding the nonprofit Meet Us on the Front Lines to connect people to causes and organizations creating change.

Ways to connect with Sara:

Email: [email protected]

Website: http://www.thesoljourney.com

Website: http:// www.Meetusonthefrontlines.com

Timestamps

00:29 Meet Sarah Nelson

01:27 Blueprint Life Cracks

01:58 Postpartum and Tragedy

02:41 Yoga Room Breakthrough

03:35 From Fixer to Guide

05:15 Holding Space for Grief

07:07 Kids and Pet Loss

09:29 Talking About Death

12:37 Grief Has No Timeline

17:29 Messy Middle Growth

20:06 Women Circles and Change

21:20 From Healing to Activism

22:39 Own Your Healing

23:05 Power of Women Circles

24:08 Friendship Over Fairytales25:09 Dating Triggers and Wounds

26:49 Embodiment and 90 Seconds

28:05 Yoga Tears and Self Priority

30:19 Tiny Habits That Stick

32:48 Journaling and Ten Images3

5:02 Capturing Real Family Moments38:01 Feel It Now Not Later

40:41 Work and Ways to Connect

42:56 Closing Gratitude and Goodbye

3 things you’ll learn in this episode:

• What looks like disruption is often realignment.

• Your hardest moments can hold your most defining work.

• The Importance of paying attention to what quietly calls you forward.

LB Adams is the CEO of Practical Dramatics, a TEDx speaker and three-time TEDx emcee, DisruptHR speaker, former actor, and shark-diving scuba instructor. Before launching her company, she spent years in corporate America where she rose through executive leadership roles—using the same theatre-based skills she now teaches to help professionals communicate with clarity, confidence, and influence.

Through Practical Dramatics, LB bridges the gap between stagecraft and the boardroom. She transforms theatre strategies into tactical, real-world communication tools that teams can immediately apply. Her keynotes and learning events are known for being humorous, high-energy, and deeply practical—far from the typical talking-head training session. Participants leave with specific language shifts, conversation frameworks, and performance strategies they can use in meetings, negotiations, presentations, and leadership conversations.

LB is a Contributor to Forbes and Entrepreneur and has worked with Fortune 100 and Fortune 500 organizations across industries. Her approach blends executive-level business experience with a humor-centric lens, making complex interpersonal skills accessible, memorable, and actionable.

She is the author of The Irreverent Guide to Spectacular Communication, a bold and practical roadmap for professionals who want to stand out, speak up, and lead with intention.

Whether she’s on a keynote stage or inside a leadership workshop, LB delivers communication strategies that are smart, strategic, and refreshingly human.

3 THINGS YOU WILL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE:

•. How to survive after devastating loss and rebuild your life.

•. What grief actually does to your brain, body, and identity.

•. How to hold grief in one hand and living with intention, meaning, and even joy.

Brandall Laughlin lost her 14 year old son in 2016. Nine months before the accident she divorced her husband of 20 year after discovering he had been lying to her for 20 years.

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Brandall Laughlin  is a multidisciplinary artist, educator, and entrepreneur. She graduated from Southern Methodist University receiving her BFA with concentrations in photography, painting, and drawing, and earned her teaching certification in Visual Arts and English from Rhodes College.

In 2005, she launched her own photography studio, where her work has been featured in numerous publications across the United States. She is also a nationally recognized pastel portrait artist and the author-illustrator of the children’s book, "Do Butterflies Make Butter?"  that was released in January of 2025.

An experienced educator, she teaches photography workshops across the state and was recently awarded a grant from the Mississippi Arts Commission to lead a series of photography workshops culminating in educational photography field trips. Most recently, she  completed her Art Therapy Practitioner certification, expanding her commitment to creativity as a tool for expression and healing.

Beyond her professional endeavors, she is the mother of four sons, an active community member, and a passionate traveler, writer, and photographer currently living and working in Oxford, Mississippi.

https://www.instagram.com/brandall.laughlin.fine.art

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandalllaughlin/

3 THINGS YOU WILL LEARN ON THIS PODCAST

1. How life’s hardest moments can become your greatest awakening.

2. Why redefining success changes everything.

3. Practical ways to overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome.

Barb Scala wore many hats—attorney, mediator, author, entrepreneur, coach, strategist—but the most powerful transformation came when she stopped chasing success and started redefining it on her own terms.

For years, she built businesses, led negotiations, wrote a book, and coached women in transitions. She knew how to build success from the outside, but on the inside, she was craving something deeper—fulfillment, a higher level of service, and a sense of balance and purpose that aligned with who she was evolving into.

And despite her credentials, she also struggled to embrace her own value. She found myself shrinking and self-doubting... questioning her worth, staying invisible, playing small, and wondering why wealth wasn’t flowing in her direction.

Her own life changes opened a deeper truth: she wasn’t just ready for a new chapter— shewas ready to redefine her success from the inside out!

Her Motto is; "Your success isn’t out there —i t’s been within you all along... just waiting to Bloom!"

Barb is a Success Transformation Coach, Author, and Speaker

She is th co-author of "Sanity Savers: Tips for Women to Live a Balanced Life"

She's been seen on NBC’s Today Show & is the creator of the Bloom Business Incubator

You can find her at:

Website: www.BloomWithBarb.com

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: Barb Scala

Facebook: Bloom with Barb

IG: Bloom with Barb

“Perfect Christians” on Sundays, Child Abuse at Home

What happens when someone tells you your dream isn’t possible?

If you’re Kim Lyons, you build it anyway.

In this episode, we sit down with one of the core leaders of South Carolina’s Latin dance community to talk about grit, growth, and what it really takes to turn passion into profession. With over 15 years of professional dance experience, Kim has risen from fierce competitor to sought-after instructor to successful dance business owner in Charleston, SC.

Her journey is proof that “no” is often just the beginning.

Now, she’s focused on training the next generation of dancers and instructors, raising the standard and strengthening the Latin dance community from the inside out.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

• Child abuse and how it continues to show up as an adult
• How to reclaim your story after more than 20 years physical and verbal abuse.

• How to understand decode anger instead of explode.

• Discovering how movement and dance can become your nervous system’s reset button.

• Why resilience matters as much as talent.

___

Meet Kim Lyons, one of the core leaders of South Carolina's Latin Dance Community. Kim brings over 15 years of dedicated professional dance experience, having achieved top status as both a fierce competitor and a sought-after instructor.

After being told her dream wasn't possible, Kim poured her expertise and drive into creating a successful dance business right here in Charleston, SC. She is now focused on training the next generation of dancers and teachers, demonstrating through her own journey that defying the odds leads to extraordinary success.

If you are interested in working with her or joining the community you can reach her on Facebook and Instagram at the handle @Kimrlyons.

 Three things you will learn in this episode:

1. How to turn midlife upheaval into intentional reinvention.

2. How identity-shaking discoveries can become sources of resilience and purpose.

3. Why real healing, courage and joy come from the body, not just the mind.

Maria Leonard Olsen practices law as a commercial litigator in Washington, DC.  She is an author, podcaster, journalis, TEDx speaker, a book marketing coach for female authors and mentors women in recovery.

Maria served as a political appointee in the Clinton Justice Department and on numerous boards.  She writes for several women in midlife publications (including AARP's The Ethel, The Midst, Kuel Life and CrunchyTales) and is a frequent public speaker on wellness issues. 

Her first book was 50 After 50: Reframing the Next Chapter of Your Life.  Her next books will be Before and After the DNA Test: A Comprehensive Guide to Privacy, Medical, Legal, and Personal Concerns in the World of Consumer DNA Testing (Bloomsbury 2026) and 60 After 60: Finding Serenity in Your 60s or at Any Age.  

She hosts a podcast called “Becoming Your Best Version” and her TEDx Talk is titled “Turning Life’s Challenges into a Force for Good”.

You can learn more at MariaLeonardOlsen.com and follow her on social media @FiftyAfter50.

In this podcast episode, guest Kelly Grutko, a certified life coach and founder of Purposeful Pivot, discusses overcoming severe life disruptions, including career transitions, identity loss, and midlife crises. She shares her personal struggle of leaving a high-ranking corporate job and the journey to discover her true calling.

Kelly highlights the importance of introspection, pursuing dreams, and redefining success to align with personal happiness and fulfillment. She offers guidance on conquering fear, embracing change, and finding purpose in midlife, emphasizing the value of community support and continuous self-growth.

The conversation serves as a lifeline for women navigating similar transitions, providing hope and actionable insights to help them thrive.

Kellie Grutko, is known as "The Spark Strategist," is a certified life coach and former marketing executive who helps accomplished women navigate midlife transitions with purpose and confidence. As Founder and Chief Pivot Officer of Purposeful Pivot, she draws on 30+ years of leadership experience—including roles at Comcast Spotlight and Trane Technologies—to guide women from burnout to reinvention. Kellie blends strategic insight with heartfelt coaching through speaking, one-on-one support, and soon to come retreats. She’s also a committed community leader, supporting causes like the American Cancer Society. Her mission: to help 

You can find more information about Kellie here:

www.purposefulpivot.net⁠

[email protected]

704.883.2527

01:59 Kelly's Journey: From Corporate Ladder to Purposeful Pivot

04:14 Finding New Purpose and Starting a Business06:39 The Importance of Self-Discovery and Reinvention

11:11 Supporting Women Through Midlife Transitions

17:42 Redefining Success in Midlife18:52 The Power of Community

20:07 Eliminating Self-Imposed Barriers21:57 Discovering Your Passion

26:38 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Change

31:56 Final Thoughts and Advice

Marka was raised and trained in Baltimore, MD, USA, at the Harriet Sauber Eisner Studio and The Baltimore Ballet. She also regularly performed with The Baltimore Actors Theater, Spotlighters Theater, The Vagabond Players and other local professional theater companies.

After high school she was offered a full scholarship at The Boston Conservatory and then The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, where she was invited into Ailey’s prestigious Ailey II Performance Company. In 1981, she was offered a job to teach Modern and Ballet in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She worked there for nearly 8 years, training dancers and actors. She also performed in and choreographed for Concert Dance, Broadway and other International Musical Theater Productions, Television and Movies.

In 1989, Marka returned to the United States. Needing health care for her son who had a “preexisting condition”, she became a Firefighter and EMT. She worked for The James Island Fire Department and Charleston County EMS. In her mind, this was just another kind of performance art. She fell in love with the work! Helping others, like teaching, always felt right.

While being a part of the Fire Department, she renewed her studies in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and pedagogy. As she trained to become an Emergency Medical Technician, she recognized that she could use this knowledge to train dancers and non-dancers alike to be HEALTHIER of body and mind. She became a Personal Trainer and a Corrective Exercise Specialist with the National Academy of Sports Medicine.

A cervical spinal cord injury in 1994 could have left Marka paralyzed from the shoulders down. However, she used her dance based fitness program, “Universal Physicality”, which she created in Argentina, as her own physical therapy. As she gained strength through her own rehabilitation, one of her doctors suggested that she work out at MUSC’s Wellness Center. In 2001, She was invited to teach “Universal Physicality” at the Medical University of SC and at other dance and fitness studios.

Marka sustained a second cervical SCI in 2012. This left her with incomplete quadriplegia, with very limited movement. She became a full-time wheelchair user. Because her injury caused weaknesses in her muscles used for breathing, the breath work of Yoga became more important than ever. She became a certified Yoga Instructor and then an Accessible Yoga Instructor, adapting Yoga for all different abilities as she does for herself.

Marka became very passionate about SCI Peer Mentorship and volunteers time at local hospitals and with the SC Spinal Cord Injury Association. In 2013, she studied wheelchair dance in New York City with Kitty Lunn and Alice Sheppard at Infinity Dance Theater, where she was invited to perform. She also studied with Full Radius Dance Company in Atlanta. She continues to help highlight Wheelchair and Integrative Dance performances in Charleston.

Marka’s passion for dance takes her to a new level of awareness. She's more determined than ever to help dancers of all ages and levels to stay fit and healthy. She teaches the techniques that she uses for herself to coach young dancers as they develop their skills. She also specializes in injury recovery.

Marka is happy to share with anyone who wants to watch and/or learn, her expression of the Art that she loves. SCI and other physical challenges, don’t mean life as you knew it has ended. It only means the journey has changed directions.

Purple Legs Up www.Vimeo.com/158402952

Contact Marka:

Email: [email protected]

Facebook: Marka Danielle 

Instagram: @therealmarkadanielle

Face Yoga website: https://faceyogawithmarka.com/

This is Body Grief https://www.jaynemattingly.com/the-book

by Jayne Mattingly

A short and sweet episode with my story of unfolding a long time dream, and an update on the podcast and upcoming episodes.