Cristina and Jill McMahon, LPC: The Power of Grief, the Strength in Letting Go

Episode 5: Cristina and Jill McMahon, LPC: The Power of Grief, the Strength in Letting Go

In this powerful episode of Verdicts & Vogue, host Cristina Perez Hesano is joined by close friend and grief counselor Jill McMahon, LPC for a deeply honest conversation on trauma, healing, boundaries, and growth. With a friendship spanning over 14 years, Cristina and Jill reflect on the chapters of life that shaped them—through motherhood, infertility, career transitions, and personal pain—and how showing up for one another changed their lives.

Cristina shares how a simple moment—challenging Jill over drinks to step into her potential—led to Jill launching her own grief and trauma counseling practice. Jill went on to dedicate over two decades to working with families who’ve lost a loved one to suicide, providing postvention care at the scene and supporting communities in crisis. Today, she trains mental health professionals and first responders nationwide, helping others deliver the same compassionate care that she has offered so many over the years.

The conversation delves into the burden of secondary trauma—especially in high-pressure professions like law and mental health. Cristina and Jill draw parallels between their work: both require holding space for others, absorbing trauma, and helping people through their darkest moments. Jill shares practical insights on setting emotional boundaries, learning to turn work off at the end of the day, and the long-term cost of ignoring burnout.

Cristina opens up about her own past—surviving childhood sexual abuse and the years she spent carrying that burden. With Jill’s friendship and guidance, Cristina found the strength to confront that trauma, receive an apology from her abuser, and forgive—not for them, but for herself. It’s a powerful reminder that healing often begins when we choose to let go and create space for something better.

Their shared identity as spin instructors is also explored. While they both lead early morning classes filled with music and motivation, those workouts represent something deeper: structure, therapy, and a consistent way to reset their minds. For Jill and Cristina, cycling isn’t just a job—it’s a tool for resilience.

The episode also highlights Jill’s latest chapter: publishing her first book,
“Bulletproof: Healing After Gun Violence and Trauma.”
Written for survivors, caregivers, and clinicians, Bulletproof is a guide to understanding the long-term emotional impact of mass shootings and community violence. Jill explains how survivors often become invisible just days after tragedies, and why it’s crucial to return the focus to healing—not politics. The book offers clinical insight, emotional validation, and practical tools for those navigating life after trauma.

For attorneys, clinicians, or anyone carrying the weight of others’ pain, this episode is a must-listen. It’s a call to recognize when you need rest, when to set boundaries, and how to prioritize your own healing in the process. Cristina and Jill prove that friendship, reflection, and honest conversations can be the foundation for personal and professional transformation.

Listen now to Episode 5 — streaming on Verdicts & Vogue wherever you get your podcasts.