The Light at the Other Side

What new titles should I use? "Updates from the US"? "Missives from America"? I don't know if this will be a series... I'm just writing and speaking on what we're living with right now in the United States and what I'm doing to cope. Thank you for listening in![I am recovering from the flu- forgive my voice.]To subscribe to receive my weekly (and sometimes daily!) newsletters: counterstorymedia.substack.comTo access the pamphlet referenced in this episode (pw: whiterose): counterstorymedia.com/tnpTo see all my other projects:counterstorymedia.com

The American people are under assault by the incoming regime. People here are being targeted, having rights stripped, and facing further persecution.I am a mother. I want you to know how this is impacting my family. Join me in resisting this aggression.

By the time your kids are seventeen, you're feeling like a pretty seasoned parent, right? Kind of got most things down pat.And then you're thrown into new territory as your child becomes an adult and suddenly we are navigating new situations, scenarios, boundaries, expectations, and realities.It can be disarming and quickly become a negative situation for everyone involved. It takes a ton of patience, self-exploration, and work to make it through this period with your relationship intact.Join me as I explore the unique challenges of parenting a young adult, and learn from some mistakes I made. We can all grow and learn together. - - - -Just a reminder that you can financially support this project in a couple of ways:You can support the project on Patreon here: patreon.com/counterstorymediaYou can support the project on Substack here: counterstorymedia.substack.comUnder the umbrella of CounterStory Media, we have several existing projects:The Light at the Other Side- podcast and written word that is more general stories about life beyond traumaAdoptere- written word from the exclusive perspective of adoptees and birth mothers.Served- written word from the exclusive perspective of US military veteransDeconstructing Dogma- written word from those exploring their spiritual journey during or after leaving an organized religionNew: Our Appalachian Spirit: an upcoming charity anthology sharing the works of Appalachian authors, poets, and artists.Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this season of The Light at the Other Side.~m

We're looking today at the differences in how we collectively parent our children, from strict authoritarianism to free-range "permissive" parenting, and the whole spectrum in between.Gentle parenting, when applied correctly, can provide the fertile soil for healthy and long-lasting relationships between parents and children that carry them well into adulthood.Authoritarian parenting, requiring complete and total obedience and immediate submission, can foster low self-esteem, lack of confidence, and the inability to advocate for oneself later in life, in large and small ways.We as parents must also been keenly aware when we make a joke at our child's expense how that impacts them and can live in their minds for decades, if not forever.- - - -Just a reminder that you can financially support this project in a couple of ways:You can support the project on Patreon here: patreon.com/counterstorymediaYou can support the project on Substack here: counterstorymedia.substack.comUnder the umbrella of CounterStory Media, we have several existing projects:The Light at the Other Side- podcast and written word that is more general stories about life beyond traumaAdoptere- written word from the exclusive perspective of adoptees and birth mothers.Served- written word from the exclusive perspective of US military veteransDeconstructing Dogma- written word from those exploring their spiritual journey during or after leaving an organized religionNew: Our Appalachian Spirit: an upcoming charity anthology sharing the works of Appalachian authors, poets, and artists.Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this season of The Light at the Other Side.~m

Our family is very close, and I've been providing my kids' civic education their entire lives. They have stood where Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. spent his last moments before his assassination in the Lorraine Motel. They've traced the steps of slaves on plantations in South Carolina. They've explored almost every single Smithsonian Museum and civil rights monument and landmark. I wanted to put their feet there. Immerse them in history and reality. Now, they are living through history themselves. One is a 20 year old white man. The other is an 18 year old trans man. Hear the differences in their reality yourself.We have a responsibility to this generation, the lost ones, the kids who fell through the cracks during Covid and are now being spit on by our politicians and made to be sacrificial lambs for their agendas. Let's listen, and really hear them. We must work with them to secure our collective futures. - - - -Just a reminder that you can financially support this project in a couple of ways:You can support the project on Patreon here: patreon.com/counterstorymediaYou can support the project on Substack here: counterstorymedia.substack.comUnder the umbrella of CounterStory Media, we have several existing projects:The Light at the Other Side- podcast and written word that is more general stories about life beyond traumaAdoptere- written word from the exclusive perspective of adoptees and birth mothers.Served- written word from the exclusive perspective of US military veteransDeconstructing Dogma- written word from those exploring their spiritual journey during or after leaving an organized religionNew: Our Appalachian Spirit: an upcoming charity anthology sharing the works of Appalachian authors, poets, and artists.Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this season of The Light at the Other Side.~m

My family shouldn't threaten anyone, and we should not be threatened.

This week, we're going to explore family from the kitchen to the dinner table... all things FOOD. Family dinners are a cornerstone of our family connection, so I'm sharing with you some of my thoughts about how food builds a family.Just a reminder that you can financially support this project in a couple of ways:You can support the project on Patreon here: patreon.com/counterstorymediaYou can support the project on Substack here: counterstorymedia.substack.comUnder the umbrella of CounterStory Media, we have several existing projects:The Light at the Other Side- podcast and written word that is more general stories about life beyond traumaAdoptere- written word from the exclusive perspective of adoptees and birth mothers.Served- written word from the exclusive perspective of US military veteransDeconstructing Dogma- written word from those exploring their spiritual journey during or after leaving an organized religionNew: Our Appalachian Spirit: an upcoming charity anthology sharing the works of Appalachian authors, poets, and artists.Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this season of The Light at the Other Side.~m

This week, we're going to explore family through the lens of adoption.Just a reminder that you can financially support this project in a couple of ways:You can support the project on Patreon here: patreon.com/counterstorymediaYou can support the project on Substack here: counterstorymedia.substack.comUnder the umbrella of CounterStory Media, we have several existing projects:The Light at the Other Side- podcast and written word that is more general stories about life beyond traumaAdoptere- written word from the exclusive perspective of adoptees and birth mothers.Served- written word from the exclusive perspective of US military veteransDeconstructing Dogma- written word from those exploring their spiritual journey during or after leaving an organized religionNew: Our Appalachian Spirit: an upcoming charity anthology sharing the works of Appalachian authors, poets, and artists.Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this season of The Light at the Other Side.~m

As parents, we are expected to be the ones 'in charge,' and that is obvious most of the time. However, we are merely human, and we still have much to learn. When we open our minds and ears to listening, truly listening, to our children, or watching them, we can learn so much from them. Our children are unique and singular human beings. They contain seeds of wisdom that they will share with us, if we are open to receiving. Just a reminder that you can financially support this project in a couple of ways: You can support the project on Patreon here: patreon.com/counterstorymediaYou can support the project on Substack here: counterstorymedia.substack.comUnder the umbrella of CounterStory Media, we have several existing projects:The Light at the Other Side- podcast and written word that is more general stories about life beyond traumaAdoptere- written word from the exclusive perspective of adoptees and birth mothers.Served- written word from the exclusive perspective of US military veteransDeconstructing Dogma- written word from those exploring their spiritual journey during or after leaving an organized religionNew: Our Appalachian Spirit: an upcoming charity anthology sharing the works of Appalachian authors, poets, and artists.Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this season of The Light at the Other Side.~m

I'm so glad to be back behind the mic! I'm glad you're joining us again, and I hope you'll enjoy this newest season. With the theme "Family", we're going to explore many aspects of family from various viewpoints and about several different types of family. Adopted, step, chosen- there are many kinds of family, and we all must learn to navigate our way in them.I've also launched my overarching project, CounterStory Media, which exists to audit the existing narrative and amplify the stories of those who have traditionally been silenced or shunned. You can support the project on Patreon here: patreon.com/counterstorymediaYou can support the project on Substack here: counterstorymedia.substack.comUnder the umbrella of CounterStory Media, we have several existing projects:The Light at the Other Side- podcast and written word that is more general stories about life beyond traumaAdoptere- written word from the exclusive perspective of adoptees and birth mothers.Served- written word from the exclusive perspective of US military veteransDeconstructing Dogma- written word from those exploring their spiritual journey during or after leaving an organized religionNew: Our Appalachian Spirit: an upcoming charity anthology sharing the works of Appalachian authors, poets, and artists.Thank you so much for joining me, and I hope you enjoy this season of The Light at the Other Side.~m

My apologies for our break last week! I got a wicked cold and was unable to record. I'm glad to be back, and discussing family trees.This particular episode discusses genealogy from the perspective of an adoptee. Melissa shares her personal experience diving into her genealogical history, highlighting the challenges and importance of understanding one's roots. The episode underscores the impact of family stories and the profound sense of loss adoptees can feel when disconnected from their biological history. Through anecdotes and reflections, she explores the transformative power of uncovering one's ancestry, the societal shifts influencing family dynamics, and the modern tools available for genealogical research.As always, follow my writing on Medium.com and my website: www.melissacorrigan.com Thank you for listening!~m

I am so unbelievably honored this week that I am able to share two pieces from one of the contributing writers of Served, Brett Ferek. Brett is an Iraqi war veteran who served in the Marine Corps. His writing is raw and poignant, relaying a range of emotions as he reflects on his experiences in the combat zone and life as a Marine and a veteran.Brett's work can be found here: https://medium.com/@brettthomasferekAs we publish the works of veterans, we discover and explore the depth of emotion experienced by those who served in the United States armed forces.Be sure to join the Facebook group to get updates and chat with other listeners!Check out my website, www.MelissaCorrigan.com, to always be in the loop!If you are enjoying The Light at the Other Side podcast, consider a tip? Click here to buy me a coffee!Thanks for listening, and until next week... be well.~m

Discussion of military stories and experiences in the U.S. Navy, reflecting on the impact of 9/11 and the challenges faced by female sailors in the military.Impact of 9/11:"The day I decided to enlist, a pizza shop, a blue September sky, and the end of the world as we knew it. 9 11...."Challenges for Female Sailors:"I should have stuffed it already. And the angrier he got, the more I became acutely aware that this guy was about to hit me or throw something at me...."Don't forget to join the Facebook group for listeners:https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198Story 1: "The Day I Decided to Enlist" https://medium.com/the-memoirist/the-day-i-decided-to-enlist-7530367aa0c3 Story 2: "One Hand Covering My Ass, One Hand in a Salute"https://medium.com/@itsjustmelissak/one-hand-covering-my-ass-one-hand-in-a-salute-6e06e53be0b3 I've shared a lot about my military service, the good and the bad, and in the coming weeks I'll be sharing some stories of brave men (and amazing writers) who have shared their perspective from the combat zone. You won't want to miss these insightful, sometimes poetic, often heartwrenching, stories from the trenches.As always, if you'd like to contribute your story to the podcast, you can email me at thelightattheotherside@gmail.com or go to my website, Melissacorrigan.com, and contact me that way. I highly recommend you hop on Medium and head to the publication Served to check out more stories from veterans.Thanks for listening!~m

This week's episode features the work of Kali Fox-Jirgl, one of the contributing writers of Adoptere, my publication about, by, and for adoptees.

Parenting... it's the hardest thing you'll ever do, but it can also be the most rewarding.We've all heard it before, but let's dig deeper and examine the role of Ego and how it plays into guiding a young life to adulthood. This is related to the following piece:https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/its-not-personal-it-just-is-what-it-is-f9751e98a06c?sk=e23467ae2dc1bed79007c87b67d67bf7If you're following along, make sure to join the Facebook group!https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198And one last announcement: I've launched a second podcast! Since we live in a capitalist hellscape, I did put the new one behind a paywall so I can continue to eat... but hey, it's only $5 a month! Check it out here:https://doessheshutup.substack.com/Thank you for your continued support and for lending me your ears for 30-40 minutes a week. ~m

Join me for a sentimental journey, reflecting on the 19 years of parenting that leads up to a child flying the nest. The pieces I read in this episode can be found below.https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/just-slipping-through-my-fingers-7e6799fb5caehttps://medium.com/age-of-empathy/adrift-the-spaces-in-between-3eb6c3854a6bJoin our Facebook group and join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198Thank you for listening!~m

Welcome to Season 2!! I'm so grateful for the listeners who have come back week after week. This week, we're talking about life; learning to embrace joy, and prioritizing ourselves as we set boundaries and define a new 'normal' for a life without chaos and drama.There IS light, and life, beyond the darkness. Join the Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198Thanks friends, and as always, be well!~mmelissacorrigan.com

This wraps up Season 1! If you've made it here with me, thank you!!This week we're exploring my journey of healing, going back to the core mission of The Light at the Other Side, and I'm extending an open invitation for you to join me!I've created a Facebook group for listeners of the podcast to discuss, meet, socialize, and help one another.The link to the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198/I look forward to meeting you, and continuing on with Season 2.Thanks, and as always, be well,~m

This episode is rather long, but I wanted to cover some ground I neglected.One of the core voices of The Light at the Other Side is veterans. I'm sharing my stories from my time in the military and inviting you to share yours!While I was serving in the US Navy, from 2003-2007, I met some extraordinary people. The women of the military were especially impressive to me. I've included my salute to my sisters-in-arms, so it's a bit of a long episode. I hope you'll indulge me...If you're interested in joining the community, here's the link to the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198/Also make sure to check out my website for more content!www.melissacorrigan.com Music cred for opening theme: Music by Vitaliy Levkin from Pixabay

In a contemplative mood last week, I pondered some of life's questions that have been swirling lately. America is in a weird place; our politics are a mess, our economy looks great on paper but many families are struggling to make ends meet, social groups are at each others' throats, and a wild and unpredictable election season is swirling.There is no easy answer. Many people who live urban lives fantasize about moving out to the country, going 'off the grid,' as if that provides a solution to all their problems. People who grew up on a farm, working hard since they were young children, fantasize about living in the city with access to the arts and culture... and grocery stores that carry jugs of milk that they didn't have to go get from a cow.The grass is always greener, and yet in America, it feels a bit as if the grass is rather brown... on both sides.What is happiness, and how does it elude us? How can we be intentional about harnessing and making fertile space for happiness? Let's explore...If you're ready to begin sharing your story, or you would like to discuss this one, consider joining our Facebook group! A private Facebook group for podcast listeners, you can comment on episodes, suggest topics I could cover, or add your own stories and discuss. I didn't start a podcast to speak into the void; I began this entire project to create a community.www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198/For more information, you can always check out my website at www.melissacorrigan.com, and send me a message there to get connected.Music cred for opening theme: Music by Vitaliy Levkin from Pixabay

In today's episode, we're going to discuss what it takes to share our difficult journeys with the world. Although it is usually uncomfortable to get started, the reward is immense. Not only is there healing and catharsis in purging your long-held secrets, but in doing so you shine a light for others. You let them know they're not alone. You let them know there's more to everyone's story than meets the eye.If you're ready to begin sharing your story, consider joining our Facebook group! A private Facebook group for podcast listeners, you can comment on episodes, suggest topics I could cover, or add your own stories and discuss. I didn't start a podcast to speak into the void; I began this entire project to create a community. www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198/For more information, you can always check out my website at www.melissacorrigan.com, and send me a message there to get connected.Music cred for opening theme: Music by Vitaliy Levkin from Pixabay

This is a very important episode to me.First of all, apologies for our bye week last week. Technical difficulties erased three (3!) episodes. But we're back, with fresh intro music and an AMAZING interview for you.With news of Nex Benedict's death in all the national outlets, I asked my son, who is trans, if the time was right for him to share his story. He agreed to be interviewed about his experiences of being bullied and assaulted on campus at our local public high school.It's important that we hear from these kids, and that we listen to their stories in their own words so that we can better practice empathy when discussing these issues. My son is hardly alone. Another trans teen just in our school district was violently assaulted and sustained a head injury.Violence is becoming endemic in our public middle and high schools, but LGBT youth are frequently the prime target for assaults, including sexual assault. Join us and hear for yourself what our nation's LGBT youth are experiencing. A more informed citizenry can draft and implement solutions for a more peaceful and equitable future.

This is a bit of a throwback.... I recall the hubbub around Jason Aldean's "Try That In a Small Town" and go into my experience growing up in an...actual... SMALL town. The silly, shallow tropes in the song do not adequately leave space for the very real, and very amazing, humans who live in America's small towns. Let's talk about it!

On this episode, we'll explore the concept of joy, how we may have been restricted from simply experiencing simple joys, and how we have reclaimed this experience. Joy can be such a simple and pure part of life and should be celebrated!

You know how a movie or TV show will just put you right in the action and then give you opening credits a few minutes in? That's what this is. I jumped right into just telling you stories without a proper introduction! This is me, introducing myself and this project, and hoping you'll subscribe, follow, and participate! I want you to be involved! Please listen in and I'll explain my vision and how you can be a part of it.

I am reading two of my pieces, 'Anger' and 'I'd Rather Not Be A SJW, Actually' and providing further context for my experiences that evoke anger.Trigger warning: brief reference to suicide and violence.

I am reading my piece, 'I Am Not Ruby Bridges' Mother' and providing further context for my experiences parenting a trans teenager in a semi-conservative state when his very existence is being discussed and legislated in the halls of our state government.Trigger warning: brief reference to sexual assault.

Intro for The Light at the Other Side, a podcast to hear stories of resilience, healing, and growth from those who have experienced, or are experiencing, trauma.