Heart Healing from Loss

“Emergence” is the process of coming into being or of becoming important or prominent. And Emergence is happening for Wendy Sloneker and her coaching process — she's announcing a shift in her work with clients!  Emergence Coaching is the new direction, and while it incorporates all the tools from her previous practice, it also allows Wendy to take her expertise in emotions and provide support to people who are stuck and sick of being stuck.  If you're stuck in loss and in emotional pain of any kind, and the path you're on is clearly a dead end or some kind of weird emotional cul-de-sac, Wendy can help you find your way again.  The structure of emergence coaching involves shifting, reframing, and reclaiming. If this sounds like something that could help you or someone you know get unstuck, stay tuned for more details.  If you're ready to emerge from pain and loss and the cocoon you've been stuck in for far too long, join Wendy in her group coaching program goinginside.me for support. And keep your ears open for Wendy's new podcast!  

Robin Keesler is an Identity and Self Discovery Coach and she is here with Grief Coach & Specialist Wendy Sloneker to share her own journey of self discovery and finding (and finding again) her identity. Robin believes that we all have the capacity to make change in the world by focusing on heart-centered leadership; which is each of us finding those little bits of joy and passing it on to expand the love in our world. Robin walks people through a process of self-discovery to work on personal identity. She aims to help you find the truth of who you are and how to come home to your true self. She teaches people radical self love, in ALL the moments. She can help you understand your attachment style, then she puts all of this together to show you how it has all been carried with you — to impact your life, your relationships, your business, and well, everything! The work is never done, but that is a good thing! So if you want to start (or continue) the work to discover yourself and understand your identity, join Robin (and Wendy) for the Shadow Side Leadership Series & Summit!  Get more information at shadowsideleadershipsummit.com where you can get info on all the coaches/presenters and register. Or if you are looking for support while you navigate through feelings of grief or loss, Wendy can help! Visit www.wendysloneker.com to learn more.  And if you are interested in Wendy's group coaching program, Going Inside, find more information at goinginside.me.

Today Wendy Sloneker, Grief Specialist & Coach, welcomes a very special guest, Jesse René Gibbs, author of the book Girl Hidden. Jesse shares the traumatic story of her childhood, what it was like discovering the truth about what happened to her, and her journey of healing by finding support and writing her book.  Jesse René Gibbs also speaks on her experience with therapy. She acknowledges that, for her, finding a good therapist meant finding someone that helped her connect her past experiences to her body and her feelings. And therapy didn't make her “better”, but it has given her the tools she needs to walk through life.  And a network of support has been important for Jesse René Gibbs too; healing is different for everybody, but for her having certain people by by her side (on on her side) has been life-changing. To learn more about Jesse René Gibbs and get a copy of her book, visit her website: girlhidden.com.  Or if you are looking for a way to start getting your own network of support, working with Wendy could be a good start. Visit www.wendysloneker.com to learn more.  And if you are interested in Wendy's group coaching program, Going Inside, find more information at goinginside.me.

“Wait,” you say. “Surely healthy, successful weight loss is a cause for celebration, not grief?”  Getting healthier is always a cause for celebration, but as No BS WeightLoss founder Corinne Crabtree tells us, “Grief is everywhere in weight loss.” Friendships and relationships can change, even disappear, when one person in the relationship loses weight. Those who lose weight may suffer a totally unexpected change in identity, they may grieve the weight that protected them, they may mourn the loss of foods that provided comfort or some sort of emotional connection (grandma's oatmeal-raisin cookies, anyone?) Corinne knows that weight loss involves so much more than increasing exercise and changing eating habits — there's an emotional journey to “choose who the next version of you is.”  Will you keep choosing the same person over and over, even if you're not feeling right in that body and mind? Or will you choose a version of you that feels closer to a goal?  And what losses do those choices bring with them? In this episode, Grief Coach and Specialist Wendy Sloneker talks with Corinne Crabtree about the emotional changes (and blockades) we go through (or don't) when we're working to choose that different version of ourselves. After losing 100 pounds to be a healthier mom and end the obesity gene, Corinne Crabtree embarked on a mission to help others be healthier as well. She's helped thousands shed unhealthy pounds and keep them off through her No BS WeightLoss Program. Find her FREE  COURSE here: www.nobsweightloss.com… that's the best place to start. Then deffo subscribe &  listen to her podcast as well.  If you're ready to get help managing changing and challenging emotions around grief and loss, sign up for a free Connection Call with Wendy at www.wendysloneker.com.    

Today Wendy Sloneker, Grief Coach & Specialist, explains Anticipatory Grief. These are the thoughts and fears about something specific that might be coming or changing, such as a medical diagnosis, a loved one or pet that starts to physically or mentally decline, or the noticing of incremental loss (tangible or intangible).  There's a little part of her brain Wendy calls “The Peanut.” She describes it as the part of her brain that protects her by helping her anticipate and prepare for the coming grief-causing event. The Peanut becomes heighted in moments of anticipating a future event – and even the anticipation before the grief can be unsettling.  Anticipating future events can take us out of the moment, away from what's actually happening now in our lives, robbing us of life's moments. So, Wendy follows up with some tips and ideas of how to feel “normal” when your “Peanut” is causing some big feelings or some anxiety.  If you would like to learn more about navigating grief and loss, or find support by working with Wendy, visit her website: www.wendysloneker.com.  And if you are interested in Wendy's group coaching program, Going Inside, find more information at goinginside.me.

Today Grief Coach & Specialist Wendy Sloneker talks about situations where you might be caught in the middle or at least have the perception of being so. And we all know the “middle” is usually between a rock and a hard place.  “The middle” may be the middle of an uncomfortable situation, it could be between two people at odds, it might be the center of a family disagreement. And it's exhausting. If you've ever dealt with chronic illness, this “middle” position might seem familiar  — you're in constant pain, constant struggle, sitting right in the whip seat of an emotional rollercoaster. It takes over your life.  And we make it worse on ourselves, burying ourselves under pressure to perform, to take care of others, or to make everyone happy.  In these situations, it can be challenging to remember we are not responsible for other people's feelings. We can only take care of our own. And that's hard enough.  To help with that, Wendy gives us tips on how to ground ourselves in what feels supportive and right for us, on how to identify our own feelings and ensure we're taking care of ourselves. If you would like to learn more about navigating grief, loss, or finding support through working with Wendy, visit her website: www.wendysloneker.com.  And if you are interested in Wendy's group coaching program, Going Inside, find more information at goinginside.me. Book Mentioned:  In My Shoes: A Memoir by Tamara Mellon & William Patrick  

Today on Heart Healing from Loss, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker welcomes special guest Serena Hicks.  Serena Hicks is a Money Mindset coach and mentor who focuses on connection with others and helping others grow their business by focusing on truth telling, freedom, and rejecting patriarchal programming. Instead, Serena encourages others to let go of your struggles and replace them with an allowing that requires you to connect with your Self, The Divine, and fellow humans (and creatures) on a whole new level. Serena and Wendy discuss the importance of being willing to receive during periods of grief and loss. This can mean asking for support or just allowing others to help you. Allowing others to make even the smallest of gestures––a hug, a coffee, or a meal—can create connections you may not have thought were possible. Serena also shares what it was like to let go of what others thought, or what she perceived they thought, and stop feeling the shame that came with needing support while she grieved. Serena prioritized self-care by learning to ask for help, even when it was terrifying or felt like it might inconvenience others.  Learn more about Serena's Money Mindset Community and Mastermind at her website, www.serenahicks.com. And find and follow her on Instagram: @xoxoserenahicks, Facebook: facebook.com/SerenaHicksAF, and LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/serenahicks. And if you are ready to connect with someone to support you in your own journey with grief and loss, reach out to Wendy for a complimentary call at www.wendysloneker.com.  

In this episode of Heart Healing From Loss, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks about being ready to do new things during a season of grief and loss.  Opening yourself up to new things can be a way to navigate difficult feelings and make progress on your journey. However, taking on new things during a season of loss can feel scary and risky.  The trick? Don't do too much at once. Wendy shares how you can start doing new things in small, manageable ways. This may help pave the way for adding back some variety to life, breaking up the monotony and breathing new life into the healing you are doing.  But, Wendy reminds us, being ready is an important piece of this, so keep your own timeline in mind and only do what feels right for you. If you are ready to connect with someone to support you in your journey with grief and loss, reach out to Wendy for a complimentary call at https://www.wendysloneker.com/.

Today Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker discusses the feelings of grief and loss that come with getting laid off from a job. This is happening to a lot of people in the tech field right now, and it is one of those events in life that brings up a whole lot of feelings, including grief and loss.  Wendy shares that taking time to really feel your feelings and process emotions is important. Emotional processing may save you from additional suffering and might provide an avenue for better decision-making as you move forward.  Asking for support is an important part of processing feelings of grief and loss too. So rally your troops and tell them what you need. Once you've done that, get more support by reaching out to Wendy!  She can help you make a plan to secure the support you need. Set up a confidential, complimentary call with Wendy at https://www.wendysloneker.com/.

Taking that first step to seek support is a big one! Deciding to take on navigating through grief and loss is challenging enough; finding the right kind of support can be a whole new level of hard.  If you break your arm, you don't wear someone else's cast. If you're ill, you don't take someone else's medicine. So why would you settle for the wrong kind of emotional support? In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks about making the needed assessments for starting the journey. What kinds of support are out there? What have you already tried? How do you find the right type of support and then figure out how to keep it working for you as you go along? A one-size-fits-all approach is most often a one-size-fits-none-comfortably, so it's important to know what you already have in place. Navigating what is needed from there is part of how Wendy helps her clients explore their options. If you think you might be ready to take that first step in seeking support for navigating grief and loss, set up a confidential, complimentary call with Wendy at https://www.wendysloneker.com/.

"If we try to go with the Nike slogan of 'just do it,' and just, you know, keep pushing through and thinking we're being warriors, we are damaging our mental health, damaging our physical health." Sound familiar? Do you just keep "doing it," pushing forward, moving ahead no matter what it's doing to you? We know that learning a skill takes practice, and we're willing to recognize the need to learn in some places in our lives, and in other people. But when it comes to some Pretty Big Stuff in our lives and work, suddenly perfection is the only option and the first draft better also be the final or we've "failed." In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks with Business Process and Mindset Coach Gretchen Hernandez about how to navigate resentment, grief — and life — in a healthy way. Learn more about Gretchen Hernandez at her website, https://www.myfreedomgrove.com/. And if you're ready for help navigating strong emotions around loss, grief, and change, be sure to set up a confidential, complimentary call with Wendy at https://www.wendysloneker.com/.

Wendy is a little under the weather, so she's helping us remember how important it is to take care of ourselves. Some days are your “low” days and it is OKAY to have these days. Take care of yourself and give yourself some comfort on a low day. Don't pressure yourself to be “on” or make big decisions. Take the cue from your brain and body to take the rest you need and give yourself a break. The tough moments are temporary, so try to find a way to be kind to yourself in a hard moment. If you're ready for some tools to navigate your own rough days related to grief and loss, contact Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker for a complimentary consultation. You'll find her at her website, wendysloneker.com.  

Wendy's guest is Forest Dimaggio and the two of them go WAY back — all the way to kindergarten! Forest shares her journey of five years, 21 doctors, innumerable misdiagnoses and zero relief before she was finally diagnosed with Lyme disease in 2010.  While the news was far from ideal, the moment of diagnosis was actually a huge relief — Forest finally had an answer that made sense. And while there was genuine relief in having the answer, there was also grief and feelings of loss with her diagnosis. Forest dealt with extreme feelings of loneliness and a bunch of life changes that happened quite quickly, one atop another. There was treatment, the physical and neurological side effects of that treatment, changes in her living situation and in her relationships. Ultimately, she embraced this new identity, even changing her name to suit.  In this conversation with Wendy, Forest shares words of wisdom for others who might be struggling with a life-changing diagnosis. If you or someone you love could benefit, please find Forest's podcast, Life, with a Splash of Lyme, and share it far and wide. If you're ready for some tools to navigate your own feelings of grief and loss, contact Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker for a complimentary consultation. You'll find her at her website, wendysloneker.com.

What is the difference between feeling a feeling and BEING a feeling? If you're experiencing a lack of progress through your journey with grief and loss, it could be because of being your feeling instead of feeling your feelings. In episode 57, Grief Coach Wendy talks about walking through the feelings instead of telling yourself you ARE the feeling. Once you understand how it actually works to FEEL your feelings, you can start to break habits with BEING a feeling. It all starts with self-awareness, beginning to notice when you are thinking “I am ____ (insert feeling word)” and then interrupting that thought with the new habit of identifying it as a feeling instead of a statement of what you are. And Wendy is inviting you to the first ever FREEBIE Week for her Going Inside Program! If you've been thinking about starting a writing ritual or amping up a current writing ritual, this is a great boost that you won't want to miss. Join Wendy for an open house for Going Inside, happening February 6-12. Listen up for more information, then sign up! Sign Up for FREEBIE Week

Did you know that when your dog shakes, they are regaining control of their emotions? Unless it's a rainy day, in which case, it's probably just shaking off the wet. Speaking of shaking off emotions, humans can do it too, though maybe not quite as literally.  In this episode, Wendy shares a personal story when she had to shake off the shame of investing in herself. What felt like "too much" — too much time, too much money, just ... too much — wasn't. It was what she needed at just the right time. Fortunately, she was able to shake off the shame and get it done. In times of grief and loss (and in the rest of life, honestly), we can lose the line between self-care and self-indulgence. Wendy's here to help us recognize when we might be missing a genuine opportunity for growth. If you are feeling shame around taking care of yourself, do some real self-care and sign up for a complimentary one-on-one with Wendy. You can find more information at wendysloneker. com.

Nope. You do not have to be strong when going through grief and loss. Sometimes, doing the best you can today is all you have the capacity for. And that's enough. Grief and navigating loss have nothing to do with strength. Sometimes “being strong” can actually prolong your pain because the defenses go up. The ability to feel your feelings also has nothing to do with strength. So, instead of thinking of it as being strong for yourself or others, reframe it instead, to “finding your power again.” Seeking help and support and doing the work is where your power can come from.  TL:DR? Don't resist it — don't try to be strong. Let yourself feel your feelings. Find support to find your power. This is the first step — and congratulations, because you are here doing the work already! The journey to finding your power has already begun. If you're ready for next steps, to build toward what you're really wanting in life, listen to the episode, then contact host Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker for a complimentary consultation. You'll find her at her website, wendysloneker.com.

Capacity: When we're in times of change and loss, whatever forms those take in your life, our emotions may feel like they're just too much. You have more capacity than you think. Yes, it's uncomfortable. But learning to jettison what doesn't help you, make space for the things that do (though they may be painful), and learn from the pain you feel — this is healthy and (sorry) possibly pretty uncomfortable. Stuck can feel, oddly, "safe." It is familiar. We know how to handle this space we've been stuck in. And there's nothing wrong with hanging out here for a while. But there are tools and skills that can help you radically change the results you're getting. If you're ready for next steps, to build toward what you're really wanting in life, listen to the episode, then contact host Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker for a complimentary consultation. You'll find her at her website, wendysloneker.com.

Fertility challenges can come with a whole range of griefs — not just the loss of a pregnancy or the hopes of genetically related children, though those losses can be devastating.  There can also be grief around losing trust in one's body, around decisions made in the past that may or may not have impacts now, around identity and sense of self, or even around just not having things happen the way they seem to happen "for everyone else." In this episode with hosts of the incredible fertility podcast The Whole Pineapple, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker and guests Ruby Booras and Anne Judge talk about not just the grief — they also talk about the many many reasons for hope. We hope you'll share this very special episode with anyone in your life who may be struggling to build their family.  You can find Ruby and Anne and their catalog of episodes all around fertility and wellness at https://thewholepineapple.com/. And if you're looking for support for grief of any kind, make an appointment now for a complimentary consult with Wendy at https://www.wendysloneker.com/. About our guests: Ruby Booras, DNP, ARNP, FNP-BC, DipACLM/DipIBLM (She/her, They/them), is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, Board Certified Family Nurse Practitioner and a self-proclaimed nutrition nerd. She specializes in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility and has been in clinical practice at Seattle Reproductive Medicine since 2012. Over the course of her career, Ruby has experienced personal and professional growth, unexpected challenges, mental health struggles, pregnancy loss, and the various ups and downs of her own journey toward wellness. Ruby has a certificate in Plant-Based Nutrition from the T. Colin Campbell School of Nutrition Studies at Cornell University and is an American College of Lifestyle Medicine Diplomat, holding Certification as a Lifestyle Medicine Professional. She has been integral to the launch of the Wellness Program at SRM. As creator and co-host of The Whole Pineapple podcast, Ruby's goal is to provide a reliable, supportive and science-based resource to guide people to their fertility and wellness goals and to power their WHOLE lives. Anne Judge, DNP, ARNP, WHNP-BC (She/her), is a Doctor of Nursing Practice, board-certified Women's Health Practitioner, who has been working in the fertility field since 2007. She first graduated from Stanford University with a degree in Human Biology. She completed nursing school at the University of Washington and was working as a labor and delivery nurse when her own experiences with infertility led her to change paths into reproductive medicine. After almost 15 years working in the fertility field, she is excited to share her knowledge and compassion with our listeners. While finishing her graduate training she struggled with whether to complete her original dream and Nurse Midwife program, but ultimately felt called to stay in the fertility field as a Women's Health Nurse Practitioner. While she is still always happy to talk about all things birth, she finds the process of creating families most valuable. She is reminded of the wise words from one of her midwife instructors, “Let someone else catch the babies, you will catch the mothers.”

A fresh new year can feel like an opportunity for a fresh start, with all the excitement (and anxiety) that comes with it. That fresh start may require Big Changes. Letting go of toxic emotions, choosing some different paths, shifting a mindset that isn't helping you move forward — all these can help, but they are so much easier said than done for most of us. New tools can help you do that inner work, says Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker.  If you've been waiting to do that work, not sure how to take those first steps, "comfortable" in the familiarity of where you've been stuck, nervous about what that change may bring, well, that's normal and natural. But if you're ready to move on, there's help. Learn more about the tools Wendy can equip you with, including the power of writing and sharing. Find more information in this episode and at https://www.wendysloneker.com/.

Loss means change. And in times of change, there's a feeling of, "It's not what it was" or "It's not what it used to be." We long for the way it used to be. But what is it — specifically — that we're missing or wishing were back to the way it was before? Being specific about the loss or the change can help us manage our way through the grief.  On the other hand, there's the phrase "It is what it is." Can we just say...ugh. "It is what it is" cuts the conversation short and can seem dismissive of our pain and sadness.  Again, understanding our response to "it is what it is" can help us manage the emotions around whatever "it" is now. What phrases or cliches create emotions in you? And do you sometimes feel like you could use help to handle those emotions? If so, be sure to contact Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker for a complimentary consultation. You can find her at her website, https://www.wendysloneker.com/.    

It's the 50th Episode!!  It takes a team to put a podcast together, and we're celebrating our happy Heart Healing team briefly today, before we get on to pomegranates and what they have to do with grief and loss. So, hoorah to all you listeners, and our gratitude for listening and getting us to 50 freaking episodes!! So, on with those pomegranates. 'Tis the season for fresh poms, but if you've ever eaten a fresh one, you know how tricky retrieving those tasty seeds can be. (For help, see video below!) So what's the tie with grief? Come listen to Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker and find out. It'll be worth your while. And if you find yourself with a hankering for either pomegranates or tools to help yourself or a loved one through grief and loss, well, we can't really help with the fruit, but you can make an appointment for a complimentary consult with Wendy on her website https://www.wendysloneker.com/ for those invaluable tools. Then join us for the dance party. :) Mentioned in this episode:  Wendy's Facebook page (DANCE PARTY): https://www.facebook.com/hearthealingloss How to Deseed a Pomegranate in 1 Minute: https://youtu.be/6YInVpUiv5c Audiotocracy Podcast Production: https://audiotocracy.com Eric Verlinde: https://www.ericverlinde.com/ Sarah Truden: https://sarahtruden.com/ 

The caterpillar-to-butterfly image for transformation is time-honored, but does require the critter in the chrysalis to turn into goo. Maybe the seed is a better metaphor for you? Yes, transformation requires the seed to split open, which seems painful, but when it opens, the seed is no longer a seed, says Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker. Yes, it's raw and vulnerable and new. But it's also ready to grow and flourish. When you're in the seed, you might feel stuck in there alone. You don't have to go through this alone. Even if you're feeling trapped in grief and loss, growth and change and even blossoming are possible.  Does this feel right to you? Get even more insights into the condition known as grief and find paths to navigate through it: Schedule a free consultation with Wendy at WendySloneker.com.  Thanks again to Eric Verlinde for our new music! You can find him at his website https://www.ericverlinde.com/. 

Holidays are tough. For those of here up north, the days are shorter and darker and the weather is colder. For all of us, there can be so many emotionally loaded memories to contend with. Too much expectation colliding with too much reality. Could tiny breaks scattered through these days help? Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker says Yes. Absolutely. Not just breaks from boozy parties or fractious family discussions, but breaks where you give yourself time off from grief. If the holiday break feels more like it's breaking you rather than giving you a break, take a moment to listen to some very helpful thoughts and ideas and find relief. And please, as always, if you know others who can benefit from this podcast, we ask you to rate, review, and share so others can find some Heart Healing too.  Thanks to Eric Verlinde for our new theme music! You can find him at ericverlinde.com. 

"What if the thing that's making you mad is the kernel of truth?" What if grief and loss have left you with a feeling that there's no life left? In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks about how to start to move past familiar pain and grief and back into life. You can feel your heart beating. Put out a bird feeder, if you can. There are signs of life all around you. It's possible this episode will make you angry; that's OK. It may not be time for you yet. But if you think you're ready to come back to aliveness, look for the indicators that remind you that life continues. Winters can be heavy — everything appears to be dying or already gone. But spring follows winter every year.  If you need help carrying the emotional weight of your loss, contact Wendy at https://www.wendysloneker.com/ for a complimentary consultation.

"I'm tired of pretending I don't have the feelings I have." Does that feel familiar? Even though you may be grieving, sometimes others make the moment about them, or you may want to hide your feelings to protect others. This can really isolate us, making us feel unseen, unheard, and alone with our pain.  It's important to feel valued and respected in our relationships, says Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker. But how do you make that happen, especially when the culprits are some of the closest, most important people in our lives? Learn about how to make space for your feelings, even when others push back or try to cover over how you feel. Then get even more help to manage the emotions that are holding you back: Set up a complimentary consultation with Wendy on her website at https://www.wendysloneker.com/.

In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker remembers people she has known and lost and how their lives and passing have impacted others, including Wendy and her work. Even in remembering those who have passed, we can remember that we aren't alone. Those we remember remain with us. One friend referred to herself as "Polyanna of the Apocalypse" — another said that too many of us live our lives "asleep." The wisdom and humor of people really should never be lost. And it won't, as long as those who remain, remember. Loss and pain are hard. But they can also act as lessons, if we're open to the gifts they give us. If grief has caused you to close yourself off, please reach out to Wendy. A complimentary call could help set you on the path to healing. You'll find Wendy at wendysloneker.com. 

You may notice that this episode sounds a little different: it was recorded in a car in front of a grocery store. The strangest places can cause all kinds of feelings, including the grocery store, if that's where you spent time with a special person. We all have those ceremonies, which we may not even recognize as special until they change.  And once that change happens, going back to that place can be a real gut punch, as you realize the depth of your loss in a very raw and immediate way. In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks about these places and ceremonies and how they can trigger a special kind of grief. How do you take steps toward "normalizing" those places again, if that's what you want? If you are considering taking steps, perhaps take this episode with you and listen, if you can listen safely. Then share with a friend who could also use the help. If grief and loss are holding you back, make an appointment for a complimentary consultation with Wendy Sloneker at her website, wendysloneker.com.

A breast cancer diagnosis is a shock to most who hear it. And often our response is simply to allow the medical community to sweep us along into the usual process of treatment. But generally, says expert Carol Lourie, breast cancer is not a surgical emergency. You have some time to listen, to learn, and to consider your options. In this conversation, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks with Naturopath, Acupuncturist, and Homeopath Carol Lourie about how one of those options may be learning more about the roots of the disease. Understanding emotional components of disease can help support your physical and spiritual health through treatment and beyond. If you or someone you care for is undergoing treatment for breast cancer or has been through treatment and is looking for ways to prevent recurrence, please listen and share this very important podcast. Then be sure to check out Carol's Empowered Against Recurrence course: https://carollourie.com/wendy-sloneker.* You can learn more about Carol Lourie at her website, https://carollourie.com/. And of course, if illness or other changes have resulted in unmanageable grief or sadness, please make a complimentary appointment with Wendy right away. You can find contact information on her website, https://www.wendysloneker.com/.  *Disclosure: This is an affiliate link, meaning Wendy Sloneker will receive a small commission if you purchase the product via this link. Wendy only endorses products she has personally used or which have come highly recommended by trusted peers. There is no additional cost to you.

Does a phrase, a song, a scent, even a number trigger a sweet or silly memory for you?  Those moments of nostalgia can be an opportunity to take a moment out of grief or sadness and remember some sweetness.  And when the weird wibbly wobblyness of grief-time can make a single day stretch forever, a moment of respite should be welcomed with open arms and an open heart. "Dip a toe into a different feeling," says Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker, even if it's just for a moment. Allow a slice of sun to permeate. If you're struggling with unmanaged grief or other emotions, please have a listen and then contact Wendy at https://www.wendysloneker.com/ to schedule a complimentary consultation. Then please share this podcast with someone else who could use it.

Holidays are challenging, even in the best of times — there's just a lot of stress and very high expectations this time of year. And if this is your first holiday season with some new grief, well, the holidays can be anything but a time of "comfort and joy." What if you had tools to get through the holidays intact, even with the pain the last year has brought? In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker wants to help you walk through this holiday season prepared, ready to navigate the challenges, and able to talk about it and release it on the other side. Learn more about Wendy and how she can help you handle the holidays; schedule a complimentary connection call on her website, https://www.wendysloneker.com/.

Admitting you're struggling with feelings of grief and loss and sorrow is huge. When you're going through it, seemingly small things like just getting out of bed — or listening to a podcast that takes on loss — these are actually marks of courage. First, an announcement: Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker is opening up a group — 13 people will spend 13 weeks preparing for the often-elevated gut punch of the holidays. If the start of Pumpkin Spice Latte season evokes dread in you, the group starts October 26 and runs through January 18.  If this sounds of interest to you, be sure to reach out to Wendy for an introductory call. You can contact her through her website, wendysloneker.com.  Second, today's episode is about grief around changes in your body. Chronic pain, menopause, auto-immune issues, illness, injury, aging — all of these can bring grief as you navigate new physical realities and maybe even a new identity. How do you handle the changes in your body? Have a listen, share if you know someone who might be going through these feelings, and be sure to reach out to Wendy if you could use additional support: wendysloneker.com, wendy.sloneker@gmail.com.

When you experience a loss, you get asked — by very well-intended friends, family, and others — how you're "doing." It can get exhausting trying to think of an answer. "I'm fine," is far from accurate and not fooling anyone. Or it might be true but makes us feel guilty for being true, even if that "fine" is extremely transitory. No one wants to hear that you're "terrible" or "sad" or "lousy," or maybe they're just fine hearing it, but you feel worse saying it. You didn't even brush your teeth today; how do you answer the question, "How are you?" without dragging them down with you? These are the knots grief and loss can tie us up in. Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker is ready to help you get unknotted. You can make a shift in how you think about every piece of progress you make, even if the progress is as small as brushing your teeth today. Give yourself the time to listen and steep in the self-care, then visit Wendy at wendysloneker.com for a complimentary consultation.

When you're a caretaker, it can be difficult to remember to also take care of yourself.  But not acknowledging your own boundaries, needs, and triggers can be dangerous; ignoring them for too long can cause the dreaded BURNOUT. Once you reach the point of burnout, or "compassion fatigue," it can be hard to find or fight your way back. And too many people in the healing professions are lost because they neglect their own need to heal and be whole. In this conversation, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks with Coach and Burnout Expert Carl Arrogante on the warning signs and potential dangers of ignoring impending burnout. Listen, then find Carl at his website, https://www.coachingwithcarl.net/. And if you're looking for help to heal from grief, be sure to set up a complimentary consultation with Wendy at wendysloneker.com. 

Grief and loss and change can come with a whole tangle of emotions — sometimes so tangled, it's difficult to sort them all out and identify each one. That's OK. You don't have to. Taking the pressure off when you don't really know how you feel is an important way of giving yourself a break. If someone asks you, or even if it's just you asking yourself, "How are you feeling?" it's OK not to have or give an answer. Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker takes us through why feeling the emotions can be hard enough and articulating them might feel impossible — and why you don't owe anyone an explanation. If you're having a hard time putting words to the feelings in your gut and heart, have a listen. Then consider setting up a complimentary consultation with Wendy to explore those feelings and learn how to manage them. You can find her at her website, wendysloneker.com. 

You can do everything right — exercise, eat right, do the things that give you joy — and still life can pull the rug out from under you. Holly Bertone of Pink Fortitude (https://academy.pinkfortitude.com/heart-healing-loss-podcast-welcome) knows this all too well: a breast cancer diagnosis at age 38 turned her “happy, healthy” life upside down. There were good things too. Even great things, with a marriage proposal and new stepson. But all of this meant a total shift in identity from happy, active single gal to happy but struggling wife and mom.  And life wasn't through with her yet. In this moving episode, Grief Coach Wendy talks with Holly about the many challenges life can come at you with — as well as the many gifts, if you're open enough to recognize them. And grateful enough to receive them. Find more about Holly at her website, https://pinkfortitude.com/. And if you're ready to work through your challenges around grief and change, sign up for a complimentary consultation with Wendy Sloneker at https://www.wendysloneker.com/. Resources mentioned: https://academy.pinkfortitude.com/heart-healing-loss-podcast-welcome  

"Be busy, get busy, stay busy." It's the mantra of life in the US and much of the world, and it's a good short-term fix for grief and loss. Emphasis on the "short-term."  Many of us find our feelings of grief are much more acute in the evenings and at night, when the busyness of the day winds down. Suddenly we notice the loss of routines more; we feel the silence more, and the normal time of rest becomes anything but restful. If you find evenings and nights especially lonely and challenging, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker has some ideas that can make the eves easier. Listen to the episode, then consider making an appointment for a complimentary connection call with Wendy: https://www.wendysloneker.com/. 

Content warning: Discussion of death by suicide. How do you show up for a friend who has lost someone to suicide? What do you say? What do you not? Should you bring something? Do something? What should you expect? Navigating someone else's grief can be a mine field. You don't want to cause further pain, but not doing anything doesn't feel right either. And what should you expect? Anything, everything, and nothing. If you've been listening to Wendy's podcast, you know that everyone's experience of grief and process through grief and reaction to grief is unique to them. Listen in on how Grief Coach Wendy is helping a friend through grief while dealing with her own sadness. It's life: up close and personal. For more help, visit hearthealingfromloss.com.

The grief around ending a relationship may not be about losing the person, it can also include disappointment from the loss of dreams, hopes, and expectations.  There's nothing wrong with feeling sad about that loss as well, but not understanding the roots of feelings of grief can make it harder to move on. In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks about the elements of grief that can come from relationships that are strained or over, and how taking a deep dive into the mechanics of that relationship can help the healing. See what resonates with you, then find some help and healing of your own in a complimentary session with Wendy. You can schedule time with her at HeartHealingFromLoss.com.

Just as there are many different kinds of loss, there are many different definitions of "family." And though your family may not look like anyone else's, the losses you experience are valid. In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker talks about what constitutes loss while creating a family, however you define that family. Humans experience the full range of human feelings, and it's important to "count yourself in," when you've had an important life event.  Learn more, then visit Wendy at HeartHealingFromLoss.com to schedule your complimentary consultation. 

When someone you know is going through painful emotions, our urge is to do something to take the pain away. Our intentions are good, but the execution can cause more pain than comfort.  In this episode, Grief Coach Wendy Sloneker helps us find some better alternatives based around listening from the heart, rather than reacting from the brain. Have a listen, then start on the path of healing YOUR painful emotions by scheduling a complimentary consult with Wendy at Heart Healing From Loss.

In this episode, Wendy shares a story of a client whose last conversation with her mom didn't go well. And when her mom passed unexpectedly, the client was left with enormous grief — and guilt over that last interaction. In this time of COVID, it's possible many more people are discovering their most recent conversation with a loved one turned out also to be their last.  If, like this client, you or someone you know is carrying grief-with-a-side-of-guilt, please have a listen and share this episode. Then schedule a complimentary consultation with Grief Coach Wendy at her website, HeartHealingFromLoss.com. It's time to let the healing begin.

Welcome back to the Heart Healing from Loss podcast!  In this episode, Wendy interviews three healthcare pros from the Creative Dementia Collective.  People living with dementia, their families, friends, care sharers, and caregivers face a great many challenges. The prospect of ensuring everyone touched by dementia receives the care they need can be... baffling. Not to mention the feelings. Each person touched by dementia experiences a radically personal and unique life event. One that has never been desired. How do you ensure these people have good quality of life, with appropriate activity, love, and respect, as well as care - and that the stigma surrounding dementia is finally resigned to the past? The Creative Dementia Collective of Kaylee Allen, Erin Staadecker, Jael Weinberg, and super pup Rosie is on a mission to do all of the above, using art and music, pet and talk therapies, all customized for the individual living with dementia.  Have a listen, then check them out at their website,  CreativeDementiaCollective.com. Be sure you're also taking care of yourself in times of grief and change, and schedule a consult with Wendy at HeartHealingFromLoss.com. 

We pay a lot of attention to our brains. But the noise and confusion and stress of modern life can keep us so focused on our brains, that we forget to listen to our hearts. "Some days, our hearts or souls can't find the glasses to see, and we cannot hear our own music."  A book pick by Robin Roberts on Good Morning, America, Susan Lax's beautiful new book A Heart's Landscape: An Invitation to the Garden of Moments gives us daily inspiration and reminds us to have "attentive hearts."  In this interview, Wendy and Susan talk about what it means to have an attentive heart, especially in times of grief, loss, and change. 

That first year after a major loss or change comes with a lot of other "firsts" — first birthday "without," first tradition or ceremony "without." How do you navigate those extra-challenging days? According to Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist Wendy Sloneker, there are ways to be with the feelings those days can create and to move through them. Listen in for tools for navigating that first year (and beyond), then follow up with Wendy. Schedule a free consultation at HeartHealingFromLoss.com. 

It's hard to leave a life you love behind. But Global Nomads like Caroline Giffon often do — far behind. In her expat life, Caroline has moved 17 times, 8 of them international moves. The expat life seems so glamorous, with new adventures awaiting each transition. But it's also so challenging to uproot your life — even your identity — every few years. It can even be a very real source of grief. To help other Global Nomads, Caroline founded Girafe Coaching, where she teaches expats how to live a life they'll love.

When asked to describe the physical feeling of grief, many people say it feels "heavy," like a weight. It is a weight — from small irritations that trickle into our lives like sand to huge, life-changing boulders that threaten to flatten us, grief and losses pile up until the weight is too great to carry. In this episode, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist Wendy Sloneker talks about the weight of grief, and how we can start to unburden ourselves, one grain, one pebble, one stone at a time. Have a listen, then find Wendy at HeartHealingFromLoss.com for a free consultation.

When you come down to it, your brain really has one job: to protect you. It means well, but it doesn't always respond in the best way. Sometimes you have to go through some work and some pain and some grief to come out healthier on the other side. In this episode, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist Wendy Sloneker fills us in our brain's natural responses to grief — and how to override them. You don't have to go through this alone. Set up a free consultation with Wendy at Heart Healing from Loss. 

The holidays can feel a little like an emotional minefield even when things are good. But if you're dealing with grief at the same time, getting through this time of year safely can feel like a real challenge.  In this episode, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist Wendy Sloneker takes us through the difficult emotional journey that can come up around special times of year.  Whether it's a first holiday season without a loved one, or the anniversary of someone passing or some other source of grief, there are days that can hit us extra hard. Have a listen, then find Wendy at Heart Healing From Loss to schedule your free consultation. 

COVID has been rough, so there's nothing quite like making it a little rougher with a side of shingles. If you've been missing Wendy's wisdom around grief and healing, she's finally back with some lessons learned about managing stress. Do yourself a huge favor and get vaccinated against shingles if you can. Check out this information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

What happens when you don't feel your feelings? They can make themselves known in other ways — maybe you reach for a comfort food or drink. Maybe your body simply refuses to do what you ask of it until you've taken care of unfinished business. In this episode Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist Wendy Sloneker talks about the potential repercussions of ignoring Big Important Feelings for too long, and the relief of working through emotions and dealing with the circumstances behind them. Have a listen, then visit Wendy at HeartHealingFromLoss.com to learn more. 

In this episode, Advanced Grief Recovery Specialist Wendy Sloneker talks with Laureli Shimayo, Matchmaker and Intuitive Eye Reader, about healthy anger, not repeating patterns, and how to approach dating again after a loss. What does it mean to adopt the Sumo position? Why does it feel so good to cuddle a soft critter and when is "oozing" actually a good and healthy thing? Find out the answers and so much more, then find Laureli at Thrive-Wise.com to learn all about her approach to helping you find your soul mate.  If grief over previous loss is holding you back from living a rich and whole life, visit Heart Healing from Loss and make an appointment with Wendy to explore how she can help you.  This podcast is produced by Audiotocracy Podcast Production.