Episode 397 - Rachel Fowler - Writer, Actor, Director and Grief Coach - Hold Space For Those That Grieve

Grief is transformative. It changes us, moulds us into something new. It takes intention and reflection and being present to fully appreciate the metamorphosis, and to accept it, welcome it, turn towards it.

My mission is to give you a safe, comforting space to feel all the big feelings and conflicting emotions around the changes, losses or uncertainty you are facing.

I'll guide you through, ​I'll listen and I'll witness.

Together we'll remember, we'll explore, we'll reframe, we'll tap into your creativity, we'll cry and we'll laugh.

My dad died after a long hospital stay and failure to thrive after several complicated surgeries. My 13 year old nephew died from a drug overdose on my daughters birthday.

In both of these incidents, I experienced beautiful kindness and emotional support from some and the painful recoil and avoidance from others. The fear and discomfort of the latter stung in so many ways, adding little cuts to my emotionally bruised self. I dissected those cuts, those moments. Intellectually, I knew they weren’t about me, but they pierced my core, they offended me still, and oh man, they HURT SO MUCH. Grief is so isolating to begin with, and these made me spend most of my energy holding myself together, strapping my emotions in – all so I wouldn’t make others uncomfortable.

And I learned that the pain subsided as I shifted my focus to the helpers.

As Mr. Rogers says, “Look for the helpers. You’ll always find people who are helping.” Those who sat with me while I wept, unable to speak. Those who held my hand, who took me to the airport, who watched Grace for a bit, who dropped off food, who remembered to ask me how I was and listen, even if I didn’t want to answer.

The idea of holding space become more and more prominent in my creative work: I wrote and directed a short film about it, and am currently working on a Young Adult novel with this as a central theme. I also trained as a coach in late 2019, and as we lived through the first wave of COVID and the lockdown of 2020, I realized that this was what I wanted to do.

I want to hold space for people in pain. Help them navigate the unchartered waters of loss and the uncertainty it brings. Explore who they are now that they have been through this challenge, this bliss.

Reveal to them that they are not broken, they are just beautifully, lovingly, painfully human.

https://www.rachelfowlergriefcoach.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0288786/

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Episode 396 - Julia Pearce - The Boy Who Became More Than We Could Imagine, Bringing the Music Back

About Me

I am Julia. I have lived, volunteered and worked in the disability world for more than 25 years. I am a presenter at local and national conferences. I have written about personal lived experiences, communication, public policy, and advocacy. I know that everyone has something to say and that I can help them communicate and say what needs to be said. Our son, Dallin, is my muse who keeps me going in this realm.

I have been known to run up and down mountains, and work in our rock-hard patch of dirt for hours, while taking pictures through it all. I have done yoga for more than 30 years and am now learning to do mindful meditation in my everyday moments.

I am a supporter of boutiques and antique shops all along the back roads. I find fun in big gatherings and peace in small one on one moments on our north lawn. I prefer action movies to chick flicks, thanks to decades of watching movies with the boys in my house, and will seek out the sun year round.

I am married to the best man I know. He makes me laugh every day and look for the good in the world, even as we go through difficult experiences.

Book: The Boy Who Became More Than We Could Imagine

This memoir is a poignant and uplifting book that explores the life of Dallin, a young boy who was enchanted by music from the very beginning. From his earliest days as an infant, music was a source of joy and comfort, and it was always present in his life.

The author shares how, in 2013, music took on a new meaning for her after Dallin's passing. She struggled to listen to music without being overwhelmed with emotions. It took years before she could hear music again and let it bring back memories of Dallin and his love for music.

Through each chapter titled after a song, the author shares a story of Dallin's life and the experiences he had that made him the boy he was. From facing adversity to discovering new joys, Dallin lived a life that was full of music and rhythm.

This book is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the power of music to heal and inspire. It invites readers to join the author on a journey through Dallin's life and to be inspired by his love for music and his unwavering spirit. "The Boy Who Became More Than We Could Imagine; How Music brought rhythm and joy into a lifetime of illness, disability and constant change for an unstoppable human." is a book that will touch the hearts of readers and remind them of the importance of cherishing every moment.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qchPLaiKocI
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https://juliapearce.net/
https://www.facebook.com/julia.pearce.754/
https://www.instagram.com/runnamokk/

https://www.youtube.com/@juliapearce1616/playlists

https://www.linkedin.com/in/julia-pearce-0b06b01b/

Support the Show.

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/

Episode 395 - Jenny Alexander - Low Content, Relationship Author, Poetry and Self Publishing

• Divorce
• A broken engagement
• The death of a loved one
• A friendship breakup

If your heart is broken you might feel:

• Alone in your grief
• Hopeless and confused
• Stuck in the past
• Unsure of your faith

If this describes you, you've come to the right place.

Hi! My name is Jenny Alexander. I'm a relationship specialist and a voice of hope for the heartbroken.

I desire to see the brokenhearted healed and set free. I offer encouragement born from experience. As a survivor of divorce, friendship breakups, and spiritual doubts, I know what it's like to grieve, to feel confused, stuck, and sometimes hopeless.

I've created this website and my other resources as guides for you. In those guides, I share strategies that helped me recover - strategies that can help you. Along with my experience, I also draw from my counselling education. I received a Master's in Human Services Counselling from Liberty University in 2016.
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Feel free to browse my blog and my books. I've recently added word searches and gratitude journals to my list of creations.

You're also welcome to join my monthly newsletter. ​
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I look forward to playing a role in your recovery. If I can help even one person, what I went through was worth it.

https://www.jennyealexander.com/

Support the Show.

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https://livingthenextchapter.com/
podcast produced by: https://truemediasolutions.ca/