🦋 GRIEF AND REBIRTH'S SUBSTACK 🦋

https://risingphoenix.life/?scroll_to=meditations

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Moments That Moved Us

Rather than trying to "fix" or solve the pain of loss with an analytical mindset, healing requires living through your grief, working through it, and shaping your own unique way forward.

📖 ⛵Life Beyond The Binge: A Commercial Fisherwoman’s Journey Home

Surviving decades on the dangerous Bering Sea and endless near-death moments on land couldn't hide the truth Colleen ran from: binge drinking was destroying her life. When an alcohol-fueled night ended in her husband’s suicide, everything changed.

Life Beyond the Binge is a raw memoir of blackouts, loss, and awakening—a beacon of hope for anyone questioning their relationship with alcohol and asking, "How is it working for you?"

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⚓ Join the Anchored Group Ecosystem 🌊

Take the next step in your healing journey! Connect with a supportive community in bi-weekly Zoom sessions to dive deep into breaking binge-drinking patterns and creating real, lasting change.

🎁 Bonus: Your first 2 months are 100% FREE!

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MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS

"Spaces like this where people can be vulnerable and open and can hear other people's stories and can resonate with their stories. What you do is so important. I wish I had you in my life years ago. Keep doing what you're doing because you've changed my life today."
Michael Reed

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The best way to support our community is by sharing it with others and leaving a rating so others will find it in their time of need as well. Be sure to tune in to the next episode! Thank you for all your support!

Traveling to India for Stem Cells, Living with Holocaust Legacy, and Receiving Proof from the Other Side

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 01:01:03 GMT

Host Irene Weinberg welcomes bestselling author Amy B. Scher to share how Nervous System Healing can release the deep emotional trauma stored inside the body. If you’ve felt stuck in the swamp of suffering after sudden loss or chronic illness, you’ll discover how unprocessed grief impacts your physical health.

Amy opens up about surviving debilitating Lyme disease, traveling across the world for experimental treatments, and discovering the hidden emotional roots of physical pain. She also reveals the undeniable afterlife signs she received from her late father and murdered cousin, showing that our loved ones never truly leave us.

You’ll learn simple, practical self-healing tools to calm your stress response, set healthy boundaries, and restore your inner joy in life. Tuning in will give you the reassurance and courage you need to turn your deepest heartbreak into a meaningful personal rebirth.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How growing up as the daughter of Holocaust survivors shaped Amy’s deep emotional sensitivity, intuition, and ultimate path to resilience and healing.
Amy’s decade-long battle with chronic Lyme disease, autoimmune issues, and nerve damage, and how traveling to India for experimental treatment saved her life.
The vital discovery that unprocessed emotional trauma and subconscious beliefs stored in the body were the missing pieces in her physical healing.
Amy’s unique self-healing techniques—including the subconscious-releasing “sweep” and the thymus test and tap—designed to regulate the nervous system and release old programming.
The unexpected grief of losing her father and her 22-year-old cousin in the same week, and how she found comfort through signs, synchronicities, and the Jewish concept of Tikkun Olam.
Less obvious types of grief, such as grieving the unfulfilled life or future you thought you would have, and finding peace within the mystery of loss.
The inspiration behind her darkly funny debut novel, The Unexpected Afterlife of Salon Rose, exploring life, death, hope, and grief through an afterlife support group.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS AMY:

Could you tell us about your childhood growing up in a home shaped by Holocaust survivors and how that shaped your sensitivity and early understanding of resilience?
When your symptoms resurfaced a year after returning from experimental treatment in India, how did you come to realize that your physical health was deeply connected to your emotional well-being?
What are your signature self-healing techniques, such as the sweep and the thymus test and tap, and how do they help clear emotional blocks and regulate the nervous system?
How did the people-pleasing dynamics and relationships in your life shift as you began establishing boundaries and stepping into your true, authentic self?
What is the less obvious grief of grieving the life you thought you would have, and how can we make peace with the mystery of loss?
Could you share some of the profound signs and communications you received from your father and your cousin after they passed away five days apart?

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Moments That Moved Us

Sensitivity is not a weakness to hide, but a powerful pathway to profound resilience, deep empathy, and the ability to thrive beyond life's hardest challenges.

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS

"I'm truly honored and so excited to be invited onto Grief & Rebirth. Irene's conversations hold so much heart, and it means a lot to be welcomed into that space."
Sparkle W

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Surviving the Bering Sea, 6 Near-Death Experiences, and the Binge Drinking Habit That Almost Killed Her

Colleen Clifford — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:01:47 GMT

Transforming decades of pain and hidden struggle into a mission of hope requires immense courage and clarity.

Former commercial fisherwoman Colleen Clifford spent 36 years navigating the treacherous Bering Sea while trapped in a destructive pattern, until a devastating loss sparked her journey toward life beyond the binge.

Following the tragic loss of her husband Scott to alcohol-related suicide, Colleen made a sacred promise to turn tragedy into awareness, inspiring her memoir, Life Beyond the Binge: A Commercial Fisherwoman’s Journey Home.

In this episode, Colleen Clifford shares her powerful insights on health coaching, breaking through denial, and empowering others to redefine their relationship with alcohol.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How 36 years as a commercial fisherwoman on the Bering Sea served as an escape from reality and internal struggles.
The “95-5 factor” of binge drinking and how the dangerous 5% wild card leads to life-altering tragedies and loss.
The sacred promise Colleen made to her late husband Scott following his alcohol-related suicide, inspiring her memoir Life Beyond the Binge: A Commercial Fisherwoman’s Journey Home.
Surviving six near-death experiences connected to binge drinking and understanding how alcohol shuts down brain function.
Holistic, curiosity-driven strategies for alcohol-free coaching, managing cravings, and unearthing the emotional stories beneath destructive behaviors.
Comforting afterlife signs and spiritual validations that helped Colleen navigate her grief journey.
Overcoming decades of hidden shame from early-life trauma and learning to rewrite internal narratives to experience true joy and rebirth.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS COLLEEN:

What led you to spend 36 years as a commercial fisherwoman on the dangerous waters of the Bering Sea and live a lifestyle that fueled the 95-5 factor?
What is the 95-5 factor and how does it keep people trapped in a pattern of denial regarding binge drinking?
How do you bring about awareness and behavior change through your work as an alcohol-free health coach?
Could you share some of your near-death experiences and how they shaped the way you speak to others about alcohol?
How do you guide clients through cravings and the emotional pull to return to destructive habits?
What role does alcohol play in mental health struggles and the heartbreaking reality of suicide?
Have you ever experienced spiritual signs or attempts to connect with your late husband Scott?
What is your message about the importance of healing, and what is your top tip for finding joy in life?

https://lifebeyondthebinge.com

✨ Exclusive Offers Just for Grief and Rebirth Listeners!

🌴 Escape to Bali & Save $250! 🧘‍♀️

Ready to reset and recharge? Claim $250 OFF a private room at The Exhale Retreat in Bali! Simply use the promo code Grief and Rebirth at checkout to unlock your special podcast pricing.

👉 Claim Your Bali Discount Here https://lifebeyondthebinge.com/the-exhale-retreat%2Fbali

—

⚓ Join the Anchored Group Ecosystem 🌊

Take the next step in your healing journey! Connect with a supportive community in bi-weekly Zoom sessions to dive deep into breaking binge-drinking patterns and creating real, lasting change.

🎁 Bonus: Your first 2 months are 100% FREE!

💥 Unlock $200 OFF Any Offering 💡

Ready to explore more transformative coaching, courses, and resources? Enjoy $200 OFF any other Anchored Group Ecosystem program!

👉 Explore Offerings & Save Here

Moments That Moved Us

True healing and lasting behavioral change only happen when we bravely uncover and address the emotional pain and discomfort driving our habits, rather than just trying to stop the behavior on the surface.

Grab Kat’s powerful new memoir, Grief the Teacher: The Teacher We Never Wanted with the Lessons Only Love and Loss Can Teach, and discover the profound insights that can help you find your steadiness again.

📖 When Grief Becomes Your Teacher: How Loss Shapes Who You Are and Teaches You to Love Again

Loss changes everything, but it doesn't have to break you. Grief the Teacher speaks directly to your heart, inviting you to view your sorrow not just as a hardship to endure, but as a quiet guide reshaping your identity, deepening your empathy, and teaching you how to love even more profoundly. Discover how to navigate your pain with grace and rebuild a life filled with purpose, connection, and deep inner healing. Order your copy now through your preferred bookseller:

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oJHfRm

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798995273103

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"It is such a delight hearing you talk about your story. Your energy and vibration are contagious! I have been following you for quite a while now and been watching your podcasts in YouTube. Thank you for your work. I really enjoy your podcasts and have found in them people that I resonate with."
Beatriz

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The Medium as Intuitive Investigator:

What hidden information can a medium perceive in a photograph?

Sat, 17 Oct 2026 15:23:33 GMT

Have you ever had a sudden impression about someone, only to discover later that you were right?

Maybe you sensed the anxiety beneath their calm exterior, felt that they were hiding something, or picked up on the weight of a secret they were carrying.

It raises one of the most fascinating questions about intuition: how much can we perceive about another person beyond what they show us?

Renowned medium and intuitive investigator Maureen Hancock has spent decades exploring how much those first impressions can reveal… and has applied her mediumship abilities to real-world mysteries and missing-person investigations.

I invite you to join us for a free online event with Maureen.

Explore Energetic Clues Through Photos, Objects & Places to Perceive Hidden Information, Solve Crimes & Reveal Deeper Stories

She’ll introduce you to investigative mediumship and the practice of following energetic clues within photos, objects, and places to uncover information you couldn’t know through ordinary means.

At the heart of Maureen’s approach is a deceptively simple principle: receive first, interpret later.

By beginning with very little information, you can give your first impressions room to emerge before the known facts begin shaping what you see, feel, or sense.

And as Maureen will show you, the first thing you receive may be only the beginning. Learning to stay with an image, feeling, word, or physical sensation can open the door to a richer, more specific, deeper story than you might initially expect.

You can find all the details and register here for The Medium as Intuitive Investigator https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/mii/a22845

In this eye-opening hour, you’ll:

Put your mediumship and investigative abilities to the test with a real mystery, recording your impressions before key details are revealed and discovering what you perceived without consciously knowing the story
Learn to recognize your own intuitive and mediumistic “tells” — whether information arrives through images, feelings, physical sensations, inner knowing, or other subtle signals — so you can become more fluent in the way your abilities communicate
Explore how to read the energetic story within a photograph while minimizing the influence of what you can see or already know, giving your first impressions room to emerge
Discover how Maureen’s receive → record → follow → reveal → validate process can help you distinguish what you actually receive from assumption, projection, and interpretation
Learn how an intuitive investigator follows a mystery one clue at a time, noticing personality, environment, emotional tone, physical sensations, and other impressions that can suggest where to explore next
Discover how investigative practice can help you hold your mediumistic connection longer, receive more specific details, and expand your perceptive range — so you can follow intuitive information farther and discover how much more your abilities can reveal

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

From Dysfunctional Childhood to Family Therapy

A SPOONFUL OF WISDOM — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 13:58:11 GMT

How does one family member’s illness ripple through the entire family system, and how do we heal from the silent wounds of mental illness? Exploring these profound family dynamics is at the heart of Rae Dumont‘s debut novel, In the Shadow of Silence.

In this episode, host Irene Weinberg sits down with Rae, who is both a pediatrician and a licensed marriage and family therapist. Drawing from her extensive background studying family systems at Harvard Medical School and the Joslyn Diabetes Center, as well as her own lived experience of love, loss, and widowhood, Rae provides a profound look into the intersection of physical health and emotional well-being.

She shares the inspiration behind her novel, In the Shadow of Silence, illustrating how depression and unspoken truths can shape a marriage and how validating a child’s intuition is crucial to breaking dysfunctional patterns.

Rae also offers wise guidance on navigating the natural timeline of grief, letting go of the need to control, and discovering daily moments of gratitude and joy.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How Rae Dumont’s childhood experiences with her resilient aunt and uncle in Belgium shaped her career path in medicine and family therapy.
The powerful connection between a family’s emotional dynamics and physical medical outcomes, particularly in childhood diabetes.
Crucial misconceptions about grief, letting go of the urge to rush the healing process, and trusting your own resilient nature.
The underlying themes of her debut novel, In the Shadow of Silence, and how it addresses love, depression, and family secrets.
The genetic components of depression and how silence and secrets within a family system can deeply affect children.
Finding moments of daily gratitude and joy in the simple, unbroken things like nature and canine companionship.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS RAE:

Could you tell us about your childhood and how it shaped your career choices, especially your instinctual resonance with children and adolescence and your ability to hear them so deeply?
Can you help us understand why the emotional life of a family is inseparable from its physical health?
What is the first misconception you wish more people understood about healing?
What would you say to people struggling with depression and to the loved ones who walk beside them, who are in a very difficult situation and keeping secrets?
What do developmental needs have to do with all of this, and how does age or temperament affect how children react to family loss?
For your own grief, what role did writing play in your healing journey?

Grab Rae’s In the Shadow of Silence at https://amzn.to/4wNLGgp

Moments That Moved Us

When loving someone through severe mental illness or crisis, we must accept the heartbreaking truth that even the greatest love cannot save everyone, and let go of the self-blame that tells us it is our fault.

📖 When Grief Becomes Your Teacher: How Loss Shapes Who You Are and Teaches You to Love Again

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oJHfRm

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798995273103

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
“It was a great pleasure, speaking with Irene!”
Rae Dumont

LOVING THE GRIEF AND REBIRTH PODCAST? LEAVE US A REVIEW!

My Skin Cancer Diagnosis, Spirits, and the Unshakable Intuition That Saved Me

Tue, 06 Oct 2026 14:59:52 GMT

Host Irene Weinberg welcomes human intuition expert and psychic medium Kate Saint Clair for a grounding conversation on practical intuition development. Many people struggle to trust their inner guidance, but everyone possesses natural intuitive abilities that function through specific senses.

Kate shares how a terrifying skin cancer diagnosis in 2011 served as a pivotal turning point, forcing her to accept her calling as a spiritual teacher. She breaks down the mechanics of the four primary Clairs and explains how birth guides stay with us from birth to help us fulfill our soul purpose.

Listeners will learn how to set energetic boundaries, clear emotional blocks through grief, and use intuition to navigate difficult life transitions.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How childhood experiences and early spiritual encounters shape intuitive awareness.
The role of birth guides in keeping you aligned with your soul chart.
Understanding the four primary Clairs: clear knowing, feeling, seeing, and hearing.
How navigating grief and trauma can awaken inner guidance and healing.
Practical exercises to move from self-doubt to confident self-trust.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS KATE:

When did you first realize you were intuitive during your childhood?
What are birth guides and how do they support our soul purpose throughout life?
How can people navigating grief use intuition to process emotional pain?
How does the Clair Confidence mini-course help beginners identify their primary Clair?

🎁 Special offer! Get 50% off Kate’s Clair Confidence mini-course and learn how to trust, control, and use your practical intuition in real time. Use code REBIRTH https://www.katesaintclair.com/offers/WHEiPfM6?coupon_code=REBIRTH

Every person has Intuition, but developing it into a dependable, real-time skill takes practice. In Be Guided and Be Great, Kate Saint Clair’s book, she cuts through the noise to deliver a practical, orderly system to help you trust your inner voice, set energetic boundaries, connect with Spirit Guides and Mediumship, and live in flow.

📖 Unlock your Intuition and order your copy today: https://amzn.to/4qqpeZ9

Moments That Moved Us

Our birth guides are not here to share opinions or make choices for us, but to remind us of our soul's original intention when emotions, fear, and human desires cloud our path.

📖 When Grief Becomes Your Teacher: How Loss Shapes Who You Are and Teaches You to Love Again

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oJHfRm

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798995273103

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
“Whenever I see anything from you it makes me smile. Congratulations again on the great work you’re doing.”
Andy Hahn

LOVING THE GRIEF AND REBIRTH PODCAST? LEAVE US A REVIEW!

https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/etem/a22845

Develop your mediumship potential into a real skill

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 18:43:53 GMT

Do you ever wonder how you can maximize your potential to do good and create profound change in the lives of others?

Do you have intuitive gifts that are yet to be fully harnessed for the good of the world?

Imagine helping someone break free from lifelong relationship patterns and change the course of their life. That kind of breakthrough can feel like a miracle of healing.

If you’re intrigued by the mysteries of the spirit world — and the possibility of becoming a natural medium who can skillfully blend and establish direct communications with departed loved ones and wise guides — you’re invited to join us for a special Shift Network event.

You can register here: https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/etem/a22845

Explore the Transformative Power of Evidential Mediumship:

With Chief Executive & Director of the “Mavis Pittilla Authorized Teacher Training” Program

You’ll hear from Jean Else, esteemed teacher and torchbearer of the work of the celebrated British medium, the late Mavis Pittilla…

… and Suzanne Giesemann, renowned American medium and student (and later colleague) of Mavis, and a beloved faculty member of The Shift Network.

They’ll explain how becoming an evidential medium able to directly communicate with spirits on the other side of the veil provides just that level of transformative potential.

In a single session with a discarnate family member, a lifelong trauma can dissolve in a field of love. It’s truly beautiful (and I have experienced this myself!)

During this deeply spiritual and illuminating online event, you’ll discover:

Why true mediumship is about much more than skill — it’s a journey of mind, body, and spirit aligning
The intricate workings of the spirit world through the profound metaphysical insights of Mavis’ “Worlds Within Worlds,” revealing the stages of the soul’s journey after death and the presence of spirit guides
How mediumship can confirm the afterlife and serve as a beacon of healing, offering messages that bring peace, hope, and comfort.
The ethical foundations and heart-centered practices that ensure that your work will uplift and honor all involved
How this immersive 12-month training from The Evidential Mediumship Academy will support you in unfolding your fullest mediumship potential — patiently, lovingly, and authentically

In this inspiring event, you’ll also learn how you can deepen your own spiritual journey and immerse yourself in a year of study with Suzanne, Jean, and leading Mavis Pittilla-authorized teachers in Shift’s Evidential Mediumship Academy — Essential Training, a 12-month personalized training for practitioners and aspiring professionals that has hundreds of grateful and skilled graduates.

Mavis was the top teacher for mediums until she died — and she is continuing this work from the other side (she actually had this in planning before we all were aware!).

You’ll discover what it means to be an evidential and ethical medium with a mission to help and heal those who seek answers from loved ones who have crossed over — and gain the understanding that anyone with intuition and a desire to be a medium can learn how to be one.

You can RSVP for free here https://shiftnetwork.infusionsoft.com/go/etem/a22845

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

Anticipatory Grief, ALS, and the Laughter That Saved Us

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 18:07:18 GMT

Host Irene Weinberg welcomes author and speaker Liza Shaub for a deeply moving conversation on navigating anticipatory grief and ALS within a family unit.

Liza shares her personal story of growing up with a mother diagnosed with ALS, detailing how her family used humor and connection as survival mechanisms during a fifteen-year goodbye.

She explores the complex emotional dynamics of watching a parent slowly fade, the painful experience of family fracture, and her ultimate journey toward physical and emotional forgiveness with her father.

Join Liza on Substack as she navigates grief and anticipatory loss, daughters reckoning with parents’ choices, family fracture under pressure, and forgiveness as a deeply bodily act.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

Navigating the quiet weight of anticipatory grief when a parent faces a terminal illness.
Using humor, playfulness, and family games as vital survival tools during prolonged hardship.
The physical toll of holding onto bitterness and how body awareness signals the need for emotional release.
Rebuilding fractured family relationships through courage, presence, and intentional grace.
Transforming deep personal loss into community support through charitable initiatives like the Iron Horse Party.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS LIZA:

How did your mother’s initial ALS diagnosis shape your family’s daily life and communication?
What role did laughter play in keeping your spirit resilient during fifteen years of anticipatory loss?
How did you consciously let go of long-held resentment toward your father to allow a renewed connection?
What did your encounters with spiritual mediums reveal about your ongoing bond with your mother?

Join Liza on Substack as she navigates grief and anticipatory loss, daughters reckoning with parents’ choices, family fracture under pressure, and forgiveness as a deeply bodily act.

📬 Subscribe here: https://substack.com/@lizashaub

Moments That Moved Us

Sharing your lived experiences creates a powerful connection with others, proving that healing happens when we give our stories voice and find a community that truly understands.

📖 When Grief Becomes Your Teacher: How Loss Shapes Who You Are and Teaches You to Love Again

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oJHfRm

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798995273103

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"It was my great pleasure to appear on Grief and Rebirth and be interviewed by Irene Weinberg. She is uplifting, funny, and welcoming. Her questions take you on a journey into the past where heartbreaking life challenges ultimately lead to redemption and rebirth. She does her homework and intertwines her deep knowledge in her interview to allow you to shine and inspire. Her podcasts are always full of valuable revelations that can guide you in your own journey. I hope you find inspiration and motivation in this unusual story of loss and rediscovery."
Michelle Peticolas

LOVING THE GRIEF AND REBIRTH PODCAST? LEAVE US A REVIEW!

My Diagnosis Wasn’t the End of My Story—It Was the Beginning

Mon, 21 Sep 2026 20:02:49 GMT

A chronic diagnosis can feel like an unexpected detour, but it can also mark the beginning of a life rebuilt with profound purpose.

When navigating chronic illness, finding hope and choosing self-advocacy can transform grief into a powerful gateway for healing and reinvention. In this episode, host Irene sits down with Brenda Snow, founder of Snow Companies and author of Diagnosed: The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient’s Journey.

Brenda shares her deeply personal journey of living with multiple sclerosis for over three decades, revealing how she turned her own health crisis into a mission to elevate patient stories across the life sciences industry.

Tune in to discover how embracing acceptance, community support, and intentional living can help you rewrite your narrative after a life-altering loss.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR THINGS LIKE:

How Brenda Snow experienced early, transient symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and faced medical dismissal before receiving an accurate diagnosis at age 29.
The crucial role of leaning into help from family, friends, and community when managing a chronic health condition.
How multiple sclerosis impacts the central nervous system by damaging the myelin sheath and affecting signal transmission in the body.
Navigating the complex emotional stages of guilt, anger, grief, and eventual acceptance following a life-altering diagnosis.
Brenda’s out-of-body near-death experience in the hospital and how it removed her fear of dying while giving her a renewed sense of purpose.
How patient advocacy, storytelling, and philanthropy can serve as powerful tools for personal healing and reinvention.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS BRENDA:

Can you take us back to when your journey first began, what those early symptoms were like, and what happened in your life at that time?
For those people who aren’t familiar with MS, how does it develop in the body, and what brings it on?
How did you think of yourself when this was happening, and did it reshape your sense of identity?
Can you tell us about that out-of-body experience?
How can grief become a gateway to healing, self-discovery, and rebirth?

Moments That Moved Us

By being a validating and compassionate listener, you communicate to others that their stories and feelings truly matter, creating a safe space for healing in a fast-paced world.

📖 When Grief Becomes Your Teacher: How Loss Shapes Who You Are and Teaches You to Love Again

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oJHfRm

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798995273103

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"There is so much joy but also so many challenges that people face. You are a light that shows them a new path. What a gift you are!!"
Kim C

LOVING THE GRIEF AND REBIRTH PODCAST? LEAVE US A REVIEW!

I Survived Abuse, Abandonment, and a Wildfire. This Is How I Healed.

Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:01:04 GMT

In this episode, host Irene Weinberg sits down with author, fine artist, and narrative repair advisor Christopher Wesley to explore his powerful journey of Healing Childhood Trauma. Christopher shares how surviving early abandonment, emotional abuse, and later losing his home in a California wildfire shaped his understanding of loss and self-trust.

Through Anthrotonik, his story-driven healing system, he guides individuals to uncover hidden patterns of self-erasure and reclaim their authentic truth. He explains how creative outlets like painting and writing provide language for unspeakable pain when words aren’t enough.

Listeners will discover how to reframe heavy personal history as a catalyst for profound personal rebirth and joy. Christopher offers practical insights on shifting internal narratives so you can move from survival into true coherence.à

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL HEAR THINGS LIKE:

How surviving early emotional abuse and familial abandonment shaped Christopher’s initial worldview and resilience.
Christopher’s life work as a “narrative repair advisor” and his “Anthrotonik” story-driven healing system.
The personal impact of losing his home in the Eaton Fire and the passing of his mother just weeks later.
Using music, writing, and fine art to process unspeakable emotions and find language for heartbreak.
Christopher’s experience facilitating art classes for cancer patients and caregivers, teaching them to create without judgment.
Understanding how grief is not just about losing people, but losing parts of ourselves, and how to hold grief and joy simultaneously.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS CHRISTOPHER:

Can you tell us about your experience navigating the Eaton Fire in California and losing your home?
What forms of healing did you pursue to recover from the severe psychological abuse you endured, and how did you begin to make peace with the pain surrounding your father’s abuse?
What truths from your own life found their way into your award-winning short story, Regret in Triptych, and what does the story explore about grief and regret?

🎁 Claim your FREE copy of Regret in Triptych: https://dl.bookfunnel.com/f18e7mxepv

Moments That Moved Us

Struggles with discipline or motivation often aren't personal failures, but the result of hidden internal scripts, subconscious patterns created in our past to protect us that now hold us back from moving forward.

📖 When Grief Becomes Your Teacher: How Loss Shapes Who You Are and Teaches You to Love Again

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oJHfRm

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798995273103

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"Irene Weinberg and her podcast, Grief and Rebirth, has offered me and countless others, the opportunity to heal from the grief of losing loved ones. Irene's warmth, compassion and commitment to this work is boundless. She has the personal experience to understand that death does not end our relationships, and the wisdom to convey this message through her various guests. I always look forward to her interviews and hosts to glean new insights and guidance which I utilize for my personal growth, and also in my professional work with others. Irene is a treasure and her work is invaluable to the growing consciousness of our planet."
Betty Jampel

LOVING THE GRIEF AND REBIRTH PODCAST? LEAVE US A REVIEW!

She Survived a Devastating Accident. Then Her True Healing Began

Mon, 07 Sep 2026 00:00:56 GMT

Host Irene Weinberg welcomes wellness advisor and spiritual guide Isabelle Daikeler for a powerful conversation on mind-body healing and spiritual awakening.

After a severe car accident at age twenty-two left her unable to walk, Isabelle embarked on an extraordinary journey that transformed her perspective on health and suffering.

Years later, enduring a second debilitating physical crisis following the birth of her son led her to deep surrender and direct alignment with her inner soul guidance.

Through these profound challenges, she discovered how emotional intelligence, somatic release, and authentic presence release stress and restore peace.

In this episode, Isabelle shares practical tools to help you reconnect with your body, navigate grief, and cultivate genuine inner strength.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How severe physical trauma can become an unexpected gateway to spiritual awakening.
The power of adaptogenic plants and somatic body processing in recovering from chronic illness.
How surrendering your human ego allows you to access your innate soul wisdom.
Practical daily tools using breathwork, nature, and water to release emotional stress.
Mindful parenting practices that teach children to trust their intuition and authentic selves.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS ISABELLE DAIKELER:

How did your life-altering car accident awaken you to the mind-body-spirit connection?
What did your experience with chronic fatigue teach you about healing beyond conventional medicine?
How did surrendering during your post-childbirth health crisis lead you to connect with your spiritual guidance?
How can parents nurture emotional resilience and authenticity in their children?
What simple daily practices can someone in deep grief use right now to start finding peace?

Moments That Moved Us

Healing is not a one-size-fits-all journey; we each require our own unique entry point, and immersing ourselves in nature's sacred space allows us to drop in and hear the wisdom meant for us.

📖 When Grief Becomes Your Teacher: How Loss Shapes Who You Are and Teaches You to Love Again

Loss changes everything, but it doesn't have to break you. Grief the Teacher speaks directly to your heart, inviting you to view your sorrow not just as a hardship to endure, but as a quiet guide reshaping your identity, deepening your empathy, and teaching you how to love even more profoundly. Discover how to navigate your pain with grace and rebuild a life filled with purpose, connection, and deep inner healing.Order your copy now through your preferred bookseller:

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oJHfRm

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798995273103

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"My heartfelt thanks to Irene for the beautiful work she's doing. She's in the sacred position of being a spokesperson for so many of us healers who naturally have introspective personality types and can't even begin to get out there the way she does. Endless gratitude. 🙏🙏🙏"
Joseph Drumheller

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Holding space for your heart today🫶❤️

Sun, 30 Aug 2026 17:55:07 GMT

Hi everyone,

Irene here. With today being Grief Awareness Day, I’ve been taking some quiet time to reflect on how deeply personal, sacred, and unpredictable the journey of loss really is. Grief isn’t something we just “get over” or check off a list; it changes us from the inside out, and learning to walk through it with compassion is at the core of why I created Grief and Rebirth.

In honor of this day, I wanted to reach into our podcast library and share 6 special episodes from Grief and Rebirth: Finding the Joy in Life. Each of these conversations touches on different ways we carry loss, connect spiritually, and allow grief to guide us toward healing. I hope they bring you a bit of comfort and light today.

1. The Grief No One Prepares You For: When a Friend Dies with Hannah Rumsey Society often struggles to address grief, especially disenfranchised grief like losing a close friend. Writer, podcaster, and grief educator Hannah Rumsey shares how the death of her beloved friend inspired her to launch a podcast and build a supportive community tailored specifically for friend-loss grievers.

Watch on YouTube:

Read the Blog Post: https://ireneweinberg.com/hannah-rumsey-the-grief-no-one-prepares-you-for-when-a-friend-dies/

2. Losing My Father at 13: How Grief Shaped My Life with Gyani Richards Losing a parent at a young age can ignite a path toward spiritual growth and inner transformation. Grief educator and meditation expert Gyani Richards shares how his father’s passing when he was just 13 set him on a lifelong journey exploring mindfulness, body-based wisdom, and transpersonal psychology to process sorrow.

Read the Blog Post: https://ireneweinberg.com/gyani-richards-losing-my-father-at-13-how-grief-shaped-my-life/

3. The Healing Power of Song: A Spiritual Journey of Surviving Abuse and Near-Death Experiences with Robin Aisha Landsong

Visionary artist and medicine singer Robin Aisha Landsong recounts her extraordinary journey of surviving childhood abduction and trauma during the Bush War in Rhodesia. Saved by the healing medicine song of a Zimbabwean woman, Robin discovered her own voice, going on to help over 16,000 people heal from trauma and grief through song.

Read the Blog Post: https://ireneweinberg.com/robin-aisha-landsong-the-healing-power-of-song-a-spiritual-journey-of-surviving-abuse-and-two-near-death-experiences-and-her-medicine-songs-that-have-helped-over-16000-people-heal-from-trauma-and-grie/

4. Does Grief Get Better and Bring Perspective Over Time?

Singer/songwriter Kevin Campbell discusses his album The Stages, which chronicles the emotional whirlwind and profound love he experienced after losing his partner of 22 years, Melissa. Through a blend of blues, soul, jazz, and folk, Kevin reflects on how artistic expression can help navigate the evolving stages of grief over time.

Read the Blog Post: https://ireneweinberg.com/kevin-campbell-does-grief-get-better-and-bring-perspective-over-time/

5. Walking the Road from Grief to Joy with Anita Albright

Author and educator Anita Albright shares her deeply moving story of navigating the unimaginable pain of losing her daughter. She discusses how faith, storytelling, and her book Journey to Joy: From Grief to Inner Peace offer gentle exercises to guide grievers toward healing and rediscovered joy.

Read the Blog Post: https://ireneweinberg.com/anita-albright-walking-the-road-from-grief-to-joy/

6. Transforming Grief and Healing into a Legacy of Meaning-Making with Alexandra Vassilaros

Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright Alexandra Vassilaros discusses how the devastating loss of her husband sparked creative rebirth and deeper purpose. Through her Make Meaning Workshop, she empowers others to process their grief through radical self-expression and writing, illustrating how grief and love are interconnected.

Read the Blog Post: https://ireneweinberg.com/alexandra-vassilaros-transforming-grief-and-healing-into-a-legacy-of-meaning-making/

Please remember to be extra gentle with yourself, that there is no right or wrong timeline for grieving, and you never have to carry it all completely alone.

Sending you so much love and light today 🫶✨

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

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1 million downloads... and a quiet moment of gratitude

Thu, 20 Aug 2026 15:19:14 GMT

Dear Friends,

Our Grief and Rebirth podcast has officially crossed 1 MILLION downloads.

If you had told me years ago, when I was pulled from the wreckage of the car crash that took my husband, Saul, and completely turned my world upside down, that I would one day be hosting a podcast reaching a million people, I probably would have laughed.

Back then, I was just trying to survive the grief. But that tragic day also brought an unexpected, profound spiritual awakening. It taught me that death isn’t the end, that love never dies, and that even after the worst kind of heartbreak, we can choose to step into a new version of life.

Starting this show was my way of building a bridge for anyone else standing in the dark, wondering how to move forward. To know that this message has resonated one million times... well, it fills me with a quiet, immense gratitude.

Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for listening, for opening your hearts, and for being part of this community. We are all helping each other heal.

A quick question for you...

Since we’re reflecting today, I would love to hear from you: Is there a particular episode or guest that brought you comfort or clarity when you needed it most? Email us at hello@ireneweinberg.com and let me know. Hearing your stories always means the world to me.

With warmth and so much appreciation,

Irene

P.S. With over 1 million downloads and a deeply loyal, conscious listener base, Grief and Rebirth is selectively opening doors to partners and sponsors who align with our mission of healing, personal growth, and wellness. If you’d like to explore working together, please contact us at hello@ireneweinberg.com.

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

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I Lost 14 People By Age 30. Here Is What Grief Actually Taught Me.

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 00:01:14 GMT

Many people view grief as a monster to be avoided, but it can actually be one of life’s most profound sources of wisdom. In this episode, Irene Weinberg welcomes grief coach and author Kat Farace to explore how Grief, The Teacher can guide us toward healing and rebirth. Kat shares her raw, personal journey of losing 14 loved ones by age 30 and her decades of professional hospice experience, offering a compassionate, practical framework for navigating loss. She introduces her new book and her platform, Balance in Grief, as essential resources for those seeking steady, grounded support. Together, they discuss the importance of honesty with children about death, the power of recognizing signs from our departed loved ones, and how shifting our perspective can transform sorrow into a doorway for deep personal growth.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How Kat’s early experience of losing 14 loved ones by age 30 shaped her journey of avoiding—and eventually embracing—grief.
Why viewing grief as a “teacher” rather than a “monster” can shift your perspective and lead to profound healing and rebirth.
The “five prospects” of grief—Shock, Detachment, Anger, Perspective, and Connection—and how they offer a more realistic, non-linear alternative to traditional clinical stages.
Heartwarming, real-world stories of receiving signs from departed loved ones, including the unique “Hibiscus” sign that validated Kat’s connection to her mother.
Essential, practical advice for parents on how to be honest and open with children when someone in the family is dying or has passed away.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS KAT:

How did experiencing 14 deaths before the age of 30 initially shape your understanding of grief and the human spirit?
You mentioned that you were dragged into hospice work “kicking and screaming”—what was that transition like for you, and how did it change your perspective?
Can you share the story of working with a patient named Kathleen and her son, Nathan, and what that taught you about holding space for others?
What are the “five prospects” of grief, and why do you find this framework more helpful than the traditional clinical stages?
What is the one essential practice you recommend for anyone currently struggling to find their way back to joy?

📘 Get Your FREE ‘Grief the Teacher’ Companion Workbook!

Kat is gifting our listeners a free, fillable/printable PDF of her companion workbook, plus access to her monthly Balance in Grief Newsletter.

Here is how to get yours:

Via Email: Shoot a quick message to offer@balanceingrief.com and we’ll slide the workbook straight into your inbox. Or visit https://www.balanceingrief.com/grief-and-rebirth/

Via Instagram: Head over to @balanceingrief, follow the page, and drop the comment “Irene promo” on any post!

📖 Grab Your Copy of ‘Grief the Teacher’ Today!

Order your copy now through your preferred bookseller:

Get it on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4oJHfRm

Buy on Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798995273103

Moments That Moved Us

Grief and trauma, though painful, expand our perspective by revealing life's contrasts and deepening our understanding of what truly matters.

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"You are THE BEST. Keep up the great work, you are a treasure!"
Paige L

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I Had a Near-Death Experience at Age 3. Here is How It Healed My Life

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 13:27:17 GMT

Host Irene Weinberg welcomes therapist and author Sally Dukes to discuss her incredible near-death experience and journey of spiritual awakening after surviving open-heart surgery at just three years old.

Sally describes the purple wave of love she met in the dark tunnel, a memory that completely removed her fear of dying and guided her back home to herself.

She shares how she used Sandplay Therapy to translate the unconscious memories of her early trauma without relying on sterile language.

Even when facing breast cancer, deep grief, and a major move to a Greek island, she’s always chosen conscious resilience over the swamp of suffering.

Her beautiful memoir, Drummer Girl, invites us to find genuine joy in life by looking at our obstacles as opportunities for a profound rebirth.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How a near-death experience at age three became a lifelong compass for understanding consciousness and suffering.
The therapeutic power of Sandplay Therapy in recovering childhood memories and healing unconscious trauma without language.
How a surgeon’s simple sketch of an elephant witnessed and resolved night terrors after open-heart surgery.
The choice to meet major life challenges like breast cancer with conscious resilience instead of despair.
Why a bold move to a Greek island during the pandemic brought a simple, joyful connection to nature and self.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS SALLY:

What was it like as you were pulled through the dark tunnel, and what did the purple energy of love feel like?
How did studying Sandplay Therapy in Zurich help you find a language for your unconscious childhood experiences?
Can you share the story of the green dog and the hand-drawn elephant, and how they acted as your guides and keepers?
How did writing your memoir allow you to witness your own journey and understand the interplay between life and death?

📖➡️ Get Sally’s Book, Drummer Girl: The Story of Life after Death Here: https://bookshop.org/a/93249/9798897470549

Moments That Moved Us

When we look closely at the moments near the end of life, we see that passing isn't a lonely journey into the unknown, but a peaceful reunion guided by love, reminding us that while the process of dying may feel scary, what awaits us on the other side is nothing to fear.

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"Listening to Irene Weinberg's Grief & Rebirth podcast is a fantastic opportunity to sink your spiritual teeth into matters of the heart and soul. From death and loss to gratitude and joy, Irene covers it all with guests from every walk of life."
Heidi Connolly

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How I Learned to Connect with the Spirit World and Heal My Grief

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 00:02:15 GMT

Renowned evidential medium Marilyn Whall joins the show to discuss her new book, GROWING: A Soul’s Journey, and her own path toward a profound spiritual awakening.

Host Irene Weinberg explores the essential shift from ego-driven living to soul-centered wisdom, offering survivors a path to release heavy emotional burdens.

They discuss the true nature of soulmates, the healing potential of simple meditation, and why leaning into personal growth serves the entire collective. This conversation reveals practical ways you’ll step outside the conditioning of daily life to discover genuine joy again.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How the soul body presents itself in the afterlife as a silhouette of light.
The reality of soul groups, friends, and connections woven by invisible threads.
Why finding peace through simple meditation can settle us down during difficult life events.
How our personal growth acts as a direct gift to the entire collective.
Ways to step outside the box of conditioning and live from the soul rather than the ego.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS MARILYN WHALL:

What inspired you to become a spiritual mentor and an evidential medium?
What did you see in that profound dream of the afterlife that you’ve never forgotten?
How do you respond to someone who says they can’t sit still to meditate?
What is the difference between living from the soul and living from the ego?
Why is it so important to heal our negative experiences in this lifetime rather than pushing them to the next?

🎁 Exclusive Giveaway: Win a Free 1-on-1 Session with Marilyn!

Would you love the opportunity to connect with Marilyn one-on-one? To celebrate this episode, Marilyn is offering a special giveaway exclusively for our listeners!

You can enter a draw to win a free “Everyday Questions” session (an hour-long experience blending Marilyn’s mediumship, spiritual guidance, and profound insights). While Marilyn currently has a waitlist for standard readings, she is opening up this beautiful opportunity just for you.

To see exactly what this transformative session includes, click here to read the full details.

How to Enter:

Send an email directly to Marilyn at marilynwhall@hotmail.com
Use the subject line: “Everyday Questions Giveaway”.
Optional: Share a quick note about what resonated with you from today’s episode!

The winner will be drawn and contacted directly via email. Good luck, and may this session bring you the clarity and peace you are seeking!

Moments That Moved Us

True growth begins when we unlearn the childhood fears holding us back and realize that the unknown is not a threat, but a beautiful space of endless potential.

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"Big thanks to the dynamic Irene Weinberg for hosting me on her "Grief and Rebirth" show. She is enthusiastic about re-imagining our relationship with dying, death and grief, having lived through some tough stuff of her own. This interview brings to completion the past six months of doing a multitude of podcasts after the publication of "The Call To The Far Shore." It’s a good one."
Nancy MacMillan

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How I Use Neuroscience and Somatic Practice to Clear Anxiety

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:00:49 GMT

Clear anxiety with neuroscience and somatic practice as Manna Abraham joins Irene to discuss the revolutionary EMPR method. Manna, a global mentor and founder of Life Full Circle, shares her unique journey from a high-stakes finance career to becoming a pioneer in trauma healing.

She explains how the Emotion Memory Pattern Release (EMPR) method helps high-achieving professionals identify and resolve root conflicts behind emotional patterns without having to relive painful stories.

We explore insights from her book, FINALLY FREE: The 6-Step Path to Healing Personal and Generational Trauma When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough, and discuss why achieving fearless inner peace is a conscious, moment-to-moment choice.

Discover how you can stop carrying the weight of the past and start leading from a state of true emotional independence.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How Manna transitioned from a high-level CFO to a global trauma mentor after realizing that external success does not equate to inner peace.
The specifics of the EMPR (Emotion Memory Pattern Release) method and why it allows individuals to heal without reliving their painful stories.
Why traditional talk therapy can sometimes act as a “band-aid” and how addressing “cellular memory” creates breakthroughs when other methods fail.
The profound power of “unbecoming”—shedding the layers of hidden identity to return to your true, authentic self.
Simple, disciplined daily practices—including body awareness, breath, and consistency—that serve as the foundation for achieving fearless inner peace.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS MANNA:

How did experiencing profound childhood losses and a life-altering accident shape your early philosophy on living in the present moment?
What did the Indian Ocean tsunami teach you about the illusion of control and the nature of surrender?
Why do you believe that addressing “cellular memory” is often more effective than traditional talk therapy for resolving deep-seated trauma?
Can you share a success story of a client who broke free from years of struggle using the EMPR method?
What does it truly mean to “unbecome,” and how can we use our bodies as conduits for consciousness and joy?
READ THE EPISODE BLOG POST

⏱️ Identify Hidden Identities In Minutes In 7 minutes, discover the exact layer your training never taught you to reach, and why your most skilled sessions still hit the same ceiling: https://www.7minutebreakthrough.com/usregistration

➡️ How To Overcome Any Negative Experience & Live With Fearless Inner Peace: https://unbecomingwithmanna.com/unbecome-with-manna

📚 FINALLY FREE: The 6-Step Path to Healing Personal and Generational Trauma – When Talk Therapy Isn’t Enough https://amzn.to/3SMDcId

Moments That Moved Us

True acceptance means realizing that mourning someone who has returned to the ultimate peace of the universe is just a reflection of our own human longing, because weeping for them questions the perfect harmony and freedom they have already found.

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"I just want to say how much I loved the episode with Jamie Sarche, where you discussed grief and rebirth. It was great to hear her speak about having challenging conversations. I have had to have these with my loved ones, and she gave some great tips It was so powerful, and I found it very valuable. We have given you a 5* rating as we really value the standard of content you are creating."
Lana G

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I Survived the Loss of My Mom and a Spinal Injury

Mon, 06 Jul 2026 00:00:59 GMT

Navigating life after a devastating spinal injury can feel insurmountable, yet it is entirely possible to discover a profound new sense of purpose.

In this episode, Irene Weinberg welcomes Karen Olson, founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, to explore the beauty of resilience and the power of service. Karen shares her deeply personal journey of transforming the heartbreak of losing her mother at age twelve into a life dedicated to uplifting homeless families.

She also discusses her inspiring new book, Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose, and how her recent spinal cord injury has deepened her spiritual perspective on compassion.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation about how rupture can lead to rebirth, and how each of us can act as a North Star for someone else.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

How childhood loss, specifically the suicide of her mother, created a “hole in the heart” that simultaneously heightened Karen’s sensitivity to the suffering of others.
The transformative power of a chance encounter with a homeless woman named Millie in Grand Central Station, which sparked the creation of Family Promise.
How Family Promise’s innovative “rotation model” mobilizes local congregations to provide housing and community support to families experiencing homelessness.
The profound shift in Karen’s healing journey that occurred when her father finally embraced her during a hospitalization, highlighting the power of connection over talk therapy.
How Karen’s recent spinal cord injury served as a second “rupture,” forcing her to reinvent her life again and deepening her spiritual perspective on resilience and vulnerability.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS KAREN:

How did losing your mother at such a formative age shape your early identity and create that instinct to reach out to others in pain?
Can you walk us through the moment you met Millie outside Grand Central Station and why you knew you had to stop and help her?
How did your father’s embrace at the hospital shift something inside of you and finally help you begin to heal from the trauma of your childhood?
In what ways has your recent spinal cord injury redirected your life’s purpose and reshaped your advocacy work?
How do you manage to find joy and maintain an expansive heart in the wake of such significant life challenges, and what is your tip for others trying to do the same?

📚Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose – https://amzn.to/4uJb3zG

Moments That Moved Us

Deep personal loss can leave lasting pain, but it can also deepen empathy, reveal our shared humanity, and inspire a greater purpose in serving and caring for others.

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
"Thank you with all my heart! YOU ARE AN ANGEL sent from above to bring love to people, there are no words to express how grateful I am for this conversation! Thank you so much!!"
Riya S

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How Nature and Daily Rituals Saved Me From My Darkest Grief

Mon, 29 Jun 2026 00:01:46 GMT

Finding true healing after grief requires intentional steps and the courage to integrate new practices into our daily lives.

Award-winning author, entrepreneur, and executive coach Laing Rikkers shares how the sudden loss of her sister, Ginna, propelled her into her darkest season and eventually led her to discover the transformative power of nature and mindfulness.

In her acclaimed book, Morning Leaves: Cultivating a Life of Beauty, Meaning, and Joy, Laing maps out how small rituals—like walking, writing, and grounding—acted as anchors during her recovery.

Through her work as a coach and grief workshop leader, she now teaches others how to transform profound heartbreak into a doorway for deeper connection and clarity. Discover how nature and daily rituals can serve as essential tools for anyone looking to navigate their own path through loss and toward renewed joy.

IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:

The tragic irony of losing a sibling to obstructive sleep apnea despite a career dedicated to treating the condition and raising awareness.
Why grief can feel like being in a “washing machine” and how professional counseling provides the necessary stability to forge a path through the darkness.
The seven simple grounding practices—Sleep, Eat, Steep, Walk it, Talk it, Write it, and Pay it Forward—that serve as essential anchors for daily resilience.
How engaging in creative activities like poetry and journaling can help transform overwhelming emotional pain into something beautiful and meaningful.
The profound shift in perspective that comes with tragedy, and why embracing the “here and now” is the key to living a deliberate, joy-filled life.

SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS LAING:

How did the unexpected passing of your sister, Ginna, reshape your understanding of your work, your purpose, and your identity?
How did you navigate the emotional complexity of your professional expertise in sleep apnea and the tragic, unnecessary nature of your sister’s passing?
What did your conversations with a grief counselor open up for you that you couldn’t access on your own during those dark days?
Can you walk us through your “seven simple grounding practices” and explain why words alone aren’t always enough to process grief?
How did your own grief reveal emotional, spiritual, and creative capacities that you didn’t know you had, and how did the act of creating your book, Morning Leaves: Cultivating a Life of Beauty, Meaning, and Joy, help you transform your grief into a vehicle for connection and light?

🍃✨ Discover Morning Leaves, a radiant blend of poetry, nature art, and reflection that invites you to slow down, breathe deeply, and reconnect with meaning in everyday life.

Whether you’re navigating grief, seeking peace, or simply longing for more presence and light, this award-winning book offers a gentle path back to yourself—one morning at a time.

Moments That Moved Us

A simple daily walk outdoors reconnects us with nature, light, and our own biology, offering a powerful and accessible way to support mental and emotional well-being.

Thanks for reading Grief and Rebirth’s Substack! This post is public, so feel free to share it with your loved ones.

MESSAGES FROM OUR WONDERFUL LISTENERS & GUESTS
“A great conversation ranging from facing grief to the importance of paying attention to the sign of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). Thank you for hosting me.”
Laing Rikkers

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