Advertise on podcast: Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open

Welcome to Illumi-Nation, a new podcast under the umbrella of Susan Casey's company Rock Your Shine: After you've been cracked wide open and under the umbrella of Valerie Moon's company Valerie Moon Healing.  Illumi-Nation serves as a transformative platform where a skilled psychic intuitive therapist (Susan Casey) and spiritual healer (Valerie Moon) collaborate to plant seeds of awakening in the hearts and minds of listeners. Susan and Valerie's mission is to guide individuals on a journey of self-discovery, helping them break free from the amnesia that accompanies our earthly experience. Through a blend of therapeutic insights and spiritual wisdom, they aim to trigger a profound remembering, reconnecting individuals with the inherent truths buried within their souls. Join Susan and Valerie in the exploration of self-awareness, healing, and the rediscovery of the timeless wisdom that resides within all of us. In this episode, Valerie and Susan talk about how to shift your energetic vibration to match the vibration of what it is you desire for your life. Manifesting is more than envisioning what you want. You must believe in yourself, and your ability to bring in what you want for yourself and for the greater good.  Illumi-Nation's recorded shows air on Tuesdays followed by a live show every Wednesday at noon on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Susan and Valerie interact with their audience and answer questions about the recorded episodes.    Host Bios: Valerie Moon is a psychic medium that has extrasensory perception. Most people within the spiritual community describe her healing modality as "shadow work". This energetic healing helps to shift deep-rooted patterns, behaviors, past life connections, ancestral traumas, or traumas that occurred in this current life. Valerie is also a soul seer and actively clears hauntings from houses, land, or people. She takes an active role in supporting many practitioners in understanding how to use their gifts. As a healer and mentor, she strongly supports those wishing to make a change and permanently shift into a higher vibration. Valerie holds a BA in Psychology as well as certifications in Breathwork and Reiki.   Susan E. Casey, MSW, MFA, is an author, a psychic intuitive mental health clinician, a certified bereavement group facilitator, a certified life coach, and a podcaster. Throughout the past 30 years, Susan has worked in hospice, in-patient, and home-based settings with teens and adults, and taught numerous courses to executive leaders and clinicians. As a therapist and writer, Susan’s deepest passion is to bring expansive and transformational stories to the world through her weekly podcast episodes. For 2.5 years, Susan interviewed people from all over the world who have sustained a deep loss and experienced renewed hope and a shift in their perspective on life as a result. Susan transitioned her Rock Your Shine podcast into Illumi-Nation with co-host Valerie Moon to continue to provide both education and real-time help to those who are struggling and eager to learn why we are here and how to create the life you want.   Susan’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Mining-Ri...     Connect with Valerie and Susan on their social media sites. Susan E Casey: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@Rockyourshine INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/susan.casey FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/susan.e.casey.3 LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanecasey/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@susanecasey WEBSITE: https://rockyourshine.com/ EMAIL: [email protected] Valerie Moon:  INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/valeriemoonhealing/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/valeriemoonhealing  FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/valeriemoon23

Welcome to Illumi-Nation, a new podcast under the umbrella of Susan Casey's company Rock Your Shine: After you've been cracked wide open and under the umbrella of Valerie Moon's company Valerie Moon Healing.  Illumi-Nation serves as a transformative platform where a skilled psychic intuitive therapist (Susan Casey) and spiritual healer (Valerie Moon) collaborate to plant seeds of awakening in the hearts and minds of listeners. Susan and Valerie's mission is to guide individuals on a journey of self-discovery, helping them break free from the amnesia that accompanies our earthly experience. Through a blend of therapeutic insights and spiritual wisdom, they aim to trigger a profound remembering, reconnecting individuals with the inherent truths buried within their souls. Join Susan and Valerie in the exploration of self-awareness, healing, and the rediscovery of the timeless wisdom that resides within all of us. In this episode, Valerie and Susan talk about energy, vibration, and The chakra system is an invaluable tool for aligning your energy. Understanding your seven chakras can help you to manage your energy and increase your vibration, which leads to a healthier life and relationships. We emphasize that everyone has the ability to communicate energetically and that spiritual experiences are not just for a select few.  Illumi-Nation's recorded shows air on Tuesdays followed by a live show every Wednesday at noon on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube. Susan and Valerie interact with their audience and answer questions about the recorded episodes.  Host Bios: Valerie Moon is a psychic medium that has extrasensory perception. Most people within the spiritual community describe her healing modality as "shadow work". This energetic healing helps to shift deep-rooted patterns, behaviors, past life connections, ancestral traumas, or traumas that occurred in this current life. Valerie is also a soul seer and actively clears hauntings from houses, land, or people. She takes an active role in supporting many practitioners in understanding how to use their gifts. As a healer and mentor, she strongly supports those wishing to make a change and permanently shift into a higher vibration. Valerie holds a BA in Psychology as well as certifications in Breathwork and Reiki.   Susan E. Casey, MSW, MFA, is an author, a psychic intuitive mental health clinician, a certified bereavement group facilitator, a certified life coach, and a podcaster. Throughout the past 30 years, Susan has worked in hospice, in-patient, and home-based settings with teens and adults, and taught numerous courses to executive leaders and clinicians. As a therapist and writer, Susan’s deepest passion is to bring expansive and transformational stories to the world through her weekly podcast episodes. For 2.5 years, Susan interviewed people from all over the world who have sustained a deep loss and experienced renewed hope and a shift in their perspective on life as a result. Susan transitioned her Rock Your Shine podcast into Illumi-Nation with co-host Valerie Moon to continue to provide both education and real-time help to those who are struggling and eager to learn why we are here and how to create the life you want.   Susan’s Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Mining-Ri...     Connect with Valerie and Susan on their social media sites. Susan E Casey: YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@Rockyourshine INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/susan.casey FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/susan.e.casey.3 LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanecasey/ TIKTOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@susanecasey WEBSITE: https://rockyourshine.com/ EMAIL: [email protected] Valerie Moon:  INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/valeriemoonhealing/ FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/valeriemoonhealing  FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/valeriemoon23

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dawn DiRaimondo, a clinical psychologist who specializes in grief and loss after losing her brother Michael while he served in the army in Iraq.    Dr. Dawn shares her experiences navigating grief and loss, both personally and professionally. She discusses her book 'Surviving Sibling Loss, The Invisible Thread That Connects Us Through Life and Death,' published in 2020, and highlights fundamental themes of grief and loss, such as anger, grief's impact on relationships, and how to navigate the aftermath of a loss. The episode also covers the beneficial role of therapy, the concept of grief as a passenger in our life's journey, and the importance of integrating lost loved ones into our lives.   **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources. Listen in as we talk about: 0:00 Intro 3:13 About Dawn's brother 6:23 How this grief affected the role she played in the family 13:45 What it was like to deal with this while helping with other people with their own mental health issues 15:56 When she got into therapy 18:34 How to know if you need extra support 30:23 Does letting grief go mean loving your sibling any less 33:02 Importance of birthdays and anniversaries of death, and how to honor those dates 40:07 Providing her parents with support 45:23 What does self love mean to her 49:24 Faith is… Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Mining-River-Sibling-Grief/dp/1732888892/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Rock+On%3A+Mining+for+joy&qid=1570199126&sr=8-1    Grief Hotline:  https://www.griefresourcenetwork Connect with Dr. Dawn  Book: https://drdawndiraimondo.com/product/surviving-sibling-loss-book/ https://drdawndiraimondo.com/   Connect with Susan http://instagram.com/susan.casey/  https://www.facebook.com/Susan-E-Casey-101187148084982  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcl58l8qUwO3dDYk83wOFA  https://rockyourshine.com/  https://www.tiktok.com/@susanecasey  

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.    In this episode, I sit down with Jordon Ferber, a stand up comedian, podcaster and a bereaved sibling. We delve into Jordon's grief journey following the tragic loss of his 21-year-old brother, Russell, in a car accident on July 6th, 2002. Jordon shares how he established himself as a voice in the bereavement community, becoming the co-leader of the Compassionate Friends Manhattan Siblings Group for the past decade. He also launched his  podcast 'Where's the Grief?'. His guests are (mostly) comedians who have experienced tragic loss.    In this episode, Jordon also discusses the challenges he faced in integrating his loss into his comedy career, as well as the benefits he found in participating in bereavement groups. Jordon's story is a testament to resilience, the healing power of supportive communities, and the potential for humor to bring light into our darkest moments.   He and his family run The Russell Ferber Foundation, which provides scholarships to the Culinary Institute of America. He produces a yearly comedy benefit show for the foundation, continuing to bring people together and carry on the spirit of his brother Russell through love and laughter. In his spare time, Jordon enjoys writing short blurbs about himself in the third person.   **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources. Listen in as we talk about: 0:00 Intro 1:33 His story about his brother Russell 3:30 How his family handled the tragedy 4:53 How standup comedy supported him through grief 10:45 His drinking and how it affected his life 12:22 What is ‘compassionate friends’ 16:07 Starting to integrate loss into his life 26:16 The changing dynamic between him and his parents 31:23 How his brother's death changed his perspective on the world and his approach to life 33:57 Navigating friendships, losing friends, cutting people out 40:39 A shift to celebration 47:13 This episode’s Oracle Card 49:02 What does self love mean to him 51:02 Faith is… Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Mining-River-Sibling-Grief/dp/1732888892/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Rock+On%3A+Mining+for+joy&qid=1570199126&sr=8-1    Grief Hotline:  https://www.griefresourcenetwork Connect with Jordon  www.instagram.com/WheresTheGrief    www.instagram.com/BeatnikNudnik   www.instagram.com/RussellFerberFoundation  www.twitter.com/WheresTheGrief  https://www.facebook.com/WheresTheGrief  http://wheresthegrief.com https://www.russellferberfoundation.org/      Connect with Susan http://instagram.com/susan.casey/  https://www.facebook.com/Susan-E-Casey-101187148084982  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcl58l8qUwO3dDYk83wOFA  https://rockyourshine.com/   

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.    In this episode, Edwin Stevens, the filmmaker behind the poignant documentary 'Alice is Still Dead,' discusses how he navigated through the grief of losing his sister.   He shares his journey of diving deep into the personal, tragic story of Alice's murder and his attempts to honor her memory through his art. Edwin also discusses the impact of grief on family dynamics, the struggle of living with loss, and how creating the film ultimately became a healing process for him. He emphasizes the essence of allowing oneself to grieve, accepting it, and persistently working through it.   Edwin Pendleton Stevens is known for The Defiant Ones (2017), Alice Is Still Dead (2019) and Dark Harbor (2019). **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources. Listen in as we talk about: 0:00 Intro 1:44 Remembering Alice 2:08 Alice's Adoption and Early Life 2:53 Alice's Struggles and Tragic End 4:23 Dealing with Alice's Loss 5:32 The Impact of Alice's Death on the Family 6:10 The Complexity of Grief and Loss 8:03 Alice's Early Acting out 9:44 Alice's Adoption and Identity Crisis 12:25 How did his parents deal 16:58 His Father's death 25:27 Making a Film about Alice 32:24 Impact of Death on Relationships 32:59 The Role of Children in Healing 33:37 Regrets and Reflections 34:13 The Importance of Self-Reflection 34:40 The Consequences of Avoiding Grief 36:23 The Impact of Grief on Relationships 52:27 Final Thoughts on Grief and Healing 54:52 Utilizing Therapy 57:18 What does self love look like 59:50 What does faith mean to you Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Mining-River-Sibling-Grief/dp/1732888892/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Rock+On%3A+Mining+for+joy&qid=1570199126&sr=8-1    Grief Hotline:  https://www.griefresourcenetwork Connect with Edwin https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10981170/ https://www.imdb.com/name/nm5451206/?ref_=tt_ov_dr   Connect with Susan http://instagram.com/susan.casey/  https://www.facebook.com/Susan-E-Casey-101187148084982  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcl58l8qUwO3dDYk83wOFA  https://rockyourshine.com/   

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.    In this week's episode, we are joined by Christine Connors and Terry Clark Murphy, who are using the power of music, storytelling, and compassion to heal the emotional wounds of those who have experienced loss.    They introduce their heartwarming initiative, Healing Chickadee, serving as an interactive, therapeutic tool that utilizes musical stories to foster emotional regulation and resilience in preschool children and their families. Christine Connors is releasing a musical series for children, 'Christina's Cottage', working closely with notable Disney Broadway composer David Friedman. Terry Clark Murphy, Founder and Chief Enthusiast of Chickadee Healing, shares how her personal experience led her to pivot from pain to healing through service.    Through the Healing Chickadee, they aim to provide a compassionate, evolving space for children and adults alike to navigate their grief, fostering a deeper connection with themselves and their emotions. The episode highlights the transformative power of grief, the importance of staying open to service and opportunities, and the role of faith, self-love and patience in the healing journey.   **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources. Listen in as we talk about: 0:00 Intro 1:22 Christina's loss of her brother 3:48 Terry's experience losing her brother 6:03 The Healing Chickadee 9:42 How does the Healing Chickadee impact children 13:14 How is their music incorporated 18:58 How has this work helped you heal yourself 27:54 Their journey with delayed grief 35:08 What are your plans for the growth and expansion of Chickadee 46:41 This episode’s card pull 47:14 What does self love look like 48:03 What does faith mean to you   Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Mining-River-Sibling-Grief/dp/1732888892/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Rock+On%3A+Mining+for+joy&qid=1570199126&sr=8-1    Grief Hotline:  https://www.griefresourcenetwork Connect with Christina www.instagram.com/ChristinasCottage444 https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-connors https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?mibextid=LQQJ4d  https://youtu.be/lN4fSuEXSEk?si=wRrG0zTBur9PE9jx   www.ChristinasCottage444.com   Connect with Terry www.instagram.com/thehealingchickadee  www.twitter.com/Soulfulkidsyd  www.HealingChickadee.com    Connect with Susan http://instagram.com/susan.casey/  https://www.facebook.com/Susan-E-Casey-101187148084982  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcl58l8qUwO3dDYk83wOFA  https://rockyourshine.com/   

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.  Depression does not discriminate, as seen in the life of Bill Daly; growing up with a supportive family, sailing through high school academically, and having aspirations to play college soccer. Despite this seemingly perfect life, Bill spiraled into a deep depression at 18, marking a dark phase of his life. It gave him a newfound passion to help others suffering from mental health issues and spurred him on his path to finding peace within himself. This blog post explores Bill's journey, shedding light on how he transformed his suffering into strength, offering inspiration to individuals navigating their way through similar struggles. After high school, deep-seated feelings of being unprepared for college and adulthood led Bill to take a year off to travel with a friend. That's when everything began to fall apart. Despite visiting stunning, awe-inspiring places like the Grand Canyon, he couldn't appreciate or connect with their magnificence or the people around him. It seemed like a dark veil had descended, making him feel exceedingly anxious, fearful, and detached from his environment. With persistent sadness consuming him, Bill found himself losing weight, experiencing drastic mood swings, and being withdrawn. To cope, he sought help from psychiatry, which sparked a series of trials with various antidepressants. Yearning for relief, he even acquiesced to electric shock therapy but to no avail. His search for relief led him on various spiritual quests, inclusive of yoga, meditation, and vision quests. Nevertheless, the underlying problem persisted. After 25 long, grueling years of hardship and struggle, his father's passing marked a turning point. Upon losing his father, he reached the height of despair, contemplating ending his own life. However, this intense pain ultimately sparked the most profound transformation. He started to find signs of hope in the little things around him, such as the song of a bird he lovingly named Rose.  From that point forward, Bill began redirecting his focus from the crippling pain of his depression to finding peace and radical acceptance. He sought solace in daily meditation and used flotation therapy to soothe his mind. More importantly, he worked on building a relationship with his heart and soul, which incredibly transformed his life. In a remarkable transition, he found love for himself and was able to love others deeply in return. He began to welcome his feelings of ‘good and bad’ without resistance, judgment or avoidance, giving him the freedom to feel, understand, and accept them. His journey led him to the realization that mere acceptance could be liberating, and through his continued self-love practices, he discovered an inner peace he’d never believed possible.  Today, Bill utilizes his learned wisdom from years of battling his condition to aid others in their mental health journey. Being a shining beacon of resilience, he strives to be a compassionate listener, creating a judgment-free space for individuals to share their struggles. His experiences have taught him the transformative power of sharing his story and inviting vulnerability from others. **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources. Listen in as we talk about: [0:00] Intro 1:50 Bill's Early Life and Onset of Depression 9:46 Bill's Struggles with Depression in College 11:19 B

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.    In this episode, we are joined by Maryann, an intuitive soul reader who shares her insights on how we can connect with our intuition and find joy amidst grief. Maryann begins by explaining what an intuitive soul reader is and how she got introduced to it. She then shares how she receives her downloads and ways to differentiate between intuition and other external sources of information.   Maryann also explores why people lose touch with their intuition and the different ways we can meditate to tap into it. She offers recommendations for people who are just starting their meditation practices and emphasizes the importance of learning how to sit quietly with our feelings.   The conversation then shifts to the topic of grief and how we can find joy again amidst it. Maryann shares her thoughts on shifting from a place of feeling to wisdom and offers words of wisdom for those missing the physical presence of loved ones.   Towards the end of the episode, Maryann talks about what self-love means to her and leaves us with a powerful message of hope.    Maryann’s journey from many years of Emergency Nursing to alternative healing has included Massage Therapy and Reflexology education at the Polarity Realization Center in Portland, Maine and advanced training in CranioSacral Therapy at the Upledger Institute of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. She is also a Reiki Master/Teacher and enjoyed teaching the Doctors, Nurses and Volunteers of Southern Maine Hospice Center Reiki Level l paid for though a Grant the center was gifted as well as her part time faculty position at USM teaching Reiki.   Her greatest gifts as an Intuitive, however, was re-awakened through her studies of Intuition Therapy and Soul Readings with renowned healer and author, Rosalie Deer Heart, which she now enjoys sharing world wide in her very busy practice.   You can find Maryann in her Scarborough, Maine office, or catch her when she visits her Nashville, TN or Dallas, TX offices or enjoy a phone/Virtual session with her. Whether you're a seasoned meditator or new to the world of intuition, this episode has something for everyone. Join us as we explore the power of intuition, meditation, and self-love with Maryann.   **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources. Listen in as we talk about: [1:05] What is an Intuitive Soul Reader and how Maryann got introduced to it [2:40] How Maryann receives her downloads  [5:40] Ways to know what comes from our intuition   [6:40] Why people lose touch with their intuition [8:25] The different ways we can meditate [11:00] Recommendations for people who are starting their meditation practices [19:10] Learning how to sit quietly with our feelings [23:00] Shifting from a place of feeling to wisdom [29:35] Learning how to find joy again amidst grief [37:20] Words of wisdom for people missing the physical presence of loved ones [40:25] What self love means to Maryann [41:00] Hope is…   Resources mentioned in this episode: Rock On: Mining for Joy in the Deep River of Sibling Grief by Susan E. Casey http://mainetoday.com/blog/who-i-met/maryanne-b-russell-intuitive-soul-reader/     Grief Hotline:  https://www.griefresourcenetwork.com/crisis-center/hotlines/    Connect with Maryann here: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/

**TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources.   Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.    Have you heard of the term ‘Ambiguous Loss’?   Dr. Pauline Boss coined this term in the 1970s. Today, the term is used in professional discourse as well as in the general public and arts communities.   In her new book, she asks, “How do we begin to cope with loss that cannot be resolved?” Which is what we’re speaking about in this conversation.   Pauline Boss, PhD, is emeritus professor at University of Minnesota. She is known worldwide for developing the theory of ambiguous loss and as a pioneer in the interdisciplinary study of family stress management. Dr. Boss is the author of Loss, Trauma, and Resilience: Therapeutic Work with Ambiguous Loss in addition to The Myth of Closure: Ambiguous Loss in a Time of Pandemic and Change.  Listen in as we talk about: [2:00] The definition of Ambiguous Loss [7:15] How to live with deep trauma and ambiguous loss [12:15] How to hold space for people who have experienced ambiguous loss [16:00] The difference between sadness and depression [34:50] Tips to manage the stress after loss [41:40] An excerpt from Dr. Boss’ book [43:30] How to become more present with our loved ones   Resources mentioned in this episode: Rock On: Mining for Joy in the Deep River of Sibling Grief by Susan E. Casey Books written by Dr. Boss   Grief Hotline:  https://www.griefresourcenetwork.com/crisis-center/hotlines/    Connect with Dr. Boss here: https://www.ambiguousloss.com  Connect with Susan http://instagram.com/susan.casey/  https://www.facebook.com/Susan-E-Casey-101187148084982  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcl58l8qUwO3dDYk83wOFA  https://rockyourshine.com/   

**TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources.   Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.    Have you ever thought about what it looks and feels like when someone is nearing the end of their life and will be crossing over soon?   In this episode, I speak with Nurse Hadley Vlahos, a registered nurse working in hospice care, and a mom, wife, and soon-to-be author from the New Orleans area.    At just barely 20 years old Hadley became a mom, a single mom, and left her dreams of being a writer behind to pursue a more stable career path of becoming a registered nurse.    After a year of working in the hospital and a nursing home, she felt immensely drawn to hospice. She has cared for hundreds, if not thousands, of patients at the end of their life in the most intimate setting - their own home.   In 2019, Hadley and her family moved to a new city, away from everything and everyone she had ever known. After feeling pretty lonely, her husband suggested connecting with people on social media. So, she picked up the camera in early 2020 and started talking to it like a friend, telling stories from her work day. She has reached over one million other people and helps ease anxiety around death.   Listen in as we talk about: Why Hadley shifted into being a hospice nurse How being a hospice nurse has shifted her perspective of death and dying The lessons she learned from her dying patients  How she thinks about life now The power of social media when it comes to community and sharing our stories about loss Resources mentioned in this episode: Rock On: Mining for Joy in the Deep River of Sibling Grief by Susan E. Casey Grief Hotline:  https://www.griefresourcenetwork.com/crisis-center/hotlines/    Connect with Hadley here: Instagram TikTok www.nursehadley.com  Connect with Susan http://instagram.com/susan.casey/  https://www.facebook.com/Susan-E-Casey-101187148084982  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcl58l8qUwO3dDYk83wOFA  https://rockyourshine.com/   

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.  In this week's episode of Rock Your Shine podcast, guest Jason Doll, a hospice veterinarian from Lap of Love, discusses the complexities of handling pet loss.  Jason, who hails from Central Pennsylvania and studied at Tufts University Veterinary School, shares how his work focuses on end-of-life care for pets, offering a compassionate approach to a challenging process. The episode offers insights into the importance of understanding and acknowledging the grief experienced by pet owners, and the significance of considering the beloved pets as family members. Jason also emphasizes the importance of narrative medicine - focusing on patient connection beyond mere lab results. We get into issues of decision-making at the end of a pet’s life, the role of veterinary teams in this process and how they can struggle with the weight of what they do. Jason highlights that veterinarians have the highest suicide rates of any medical profession, indicating a need for increased support and understanding of their work. He educates listeners about resources available for those who are saying goodbye to their pets, and the importance of supporting local veterinary services. In his dedication to honoring the humanity and humor found in life through animals, Jason expresses a sense of privilege in assisting these companions during one of their loved ones' most challenging moments. Following completion of veterinary school, he returned to his hometown in central Pennsylvania to engage in General Practice/Emergency Medicine. A particular fondness is reserved for senior pets. With a professional background in avian and zoo medicine, Jason takes pride in ensuring comfort not only for the animals but also for their human companions. The decision to transition to mobile end-of-life services came shortly after the loss of his mother, a physician and cat enthusiast. Jason aspires to carry on her legacy by providing support to every family he assists. His mission is to transform the most difficult day into a poignant memory that families will cherish, aiming to replace fear and resentment with a sense of solace and remembrance. **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources. Listen in as we talk about: [0:00] Intro 02:15 Jason's Journey into End of Life Pet Care 02:29 The Importance of Patient Connection 03:24 The Changing Perception of Pet Ownership 03:59 The Increasing Need for End of Life Care for Pets 04:40 The Challenges of Pet Loss and Grief 05:43 Understanding Disenfranchised Grief 06:48 The Emotional Impact of Pet Loss 07:50 Celebrating the Life of Pets After Their Passing 08:57 The Deep Bond Between Humans and Pets 10:10 Reframing the Language Around Euthanasia 11:52 The Reality of Pet's End of Life 15:49 The Role of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice 18:20 The Emotional and Physical Challenges of Pet Care 19:21 The Importance of Planning for Pet's End of Life 23:42 Resources for Pet End of Life Care 25:20 Understanding Pet Insurance 25:39 Preparing for Pet's Life Stages 26:21 The Generosity of Lap of Love 27:31 Supporting Animal Welfare 29:03 Deciding on a New Pet 30:35 The Emotional Impact of Pet Loss 31:52 The Challenges Faced by Veterinarians 39:46 The Importance of Preparation and Responsibility in Pet Care 45:31 Celebrating the Joy Pets Bring

Welcome to Rock Your Shine: After you’ve been cracked wide open. On this show, I sit down with people from all over the world to hear their transformational stories on their deep grief and loss journeys.  In this week's episode, Shelly Ferrari, a retired real estate accountant, mother of two, grandmother of two and a great grandmother, shares her extraordinary journey of resilience and independence.  Raised to be a wife, her life took a dramatic turn when she was forced to navigate the equally challenging roles of being a single parent, student, and supporting her family, after divorcing her first husband at a young age.  Despite her trials, Shelly's story illustrates the power of determination, self-belief and persistence. She discusses how by following a deep knowing within her, she continuously made decisions that allowed her to transform her life and reach successful independence, imparting essential lessons for her daughters and others. **TRIGGER WARNING** This episode covers sensitive subject matter and is not suitable for all listeners. If this topic could be a trigger for you, listen to this episode with a friend, a sibling, a loved one or a parent so you can talk about any emotions that come up for you. The contents of this episode are not intended to replace therapy and should not be taken as such. If you need immediate help, please call the crisis hotline listed below in our resources. Listen in as we talk about: [0:00] Intro [1:15] Being raised to be a wife and mother versus an independent woman [3:28] Meeting her husband and get married [4:48] The change that inspired her to go down a different path [7:09] How she learned about her husband’s lies and drug use [9:18] Life after she kicked him out [12:37] Did faith or spirituality help her? [14:48] This episode’s Oracle card [17:09] How she shifted her life, and watched it expand and unfold [19:09] The community that believed in her and helped push her [30:57] Getting in touch with your deep knowing and finding deep courage [35:44] Learning to have faith in herself [36:33] What life looks like today [40:00] What does self love look like for you now? [40:30] Hope is… Resources mentioned in this episode: Book: https://www.amazon.com/Rock-Mining-River-Sibling-Grief/dp/1732888892/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=Rock+On%3A+Mining+for+joy&qid=1570199126&sr=8-1     Grief Hotline:  https://www.griefresourcenetwork Connect with Susan http://instagram.com/susan.casey/  https://www.facebook.com/Susan-E-Casey-101187148084982  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDcl58l8qUwO3dDYk83wOFA  https://rockyourshine.com/ https://www.tiktok.com/@leapwithsusan?