Grief doesn’t just break you open—it breaks you open to truth. And in this transformative episode, Dr. Mark Matthews and I journey into the sacred territory where loss becomes a portal to identity, purpose, and sovereign leadership.
From losing both parents at nine years old to navigating a lifetime of introspection, Dr. Mark shares how grief became his greatest teacher—shaping his worldview, his leadership philosophy, and the deep sense of compassion that infuses every aspect of his coaching. Together, we explore how the “armor of avoidance” keeps us disconnected from our deepest desires and how embracing our emotional landscape leads to explosive growth in business, relationships, and self-worth.
We dive into:
- Why care is the antidote to overwhelm and the foundation of conscious leadership
- How expanding your capacity unlocks your next level of sovereignty
- What Maslow really meant about human development and fulfillment
- How grief reframes identity and becomes a catalyst for transformational joy
- The power of standards vs. expectations in relationships, parenting, and business
- Why world peace begins with the internal reconciliation of the self
This episode isn’t just a conversation—it's a remembrance of your innate power. A reclamation of your throne. A reminder that your most challenging seasons are often the very ones expanding your capacity to hold more love, more purpose, more prosperity, and more aliveness.
If you're walking through change, expansion, or rebirth—this one will meet you exactly where you are.
Enjoy, sovereigns!
Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, or your favorite podcast listening platform. You can also watch the episode on Youtube.
Quotes:
“Grief doesn’t shatter your world — it opens your world.” — Dr. Mark Matthews
“Drop your expectations. Raise your standards.” — Dr. Mark Matthews
“Most people confuse overwhelm with a lack of capacity… when it’s actually a lack of clarity.” — Dr. Mark Matthews
Moments of Note:
00:00 — Welcome to Crown Yourself: The Inner Game of Self-Worth & Leadership
Kimberly opens the episode with a powerful framing around mindset, self-worth, and the double-edged sword of high-performance thinking.
01:51 — Dr. Mark Matthews Sets the Intention: “This Will Change Someone’s Life.”
Mark enters with a commitment to truth, presence, and breakthrough conversations. He sets the tone for a deeply transformative episode.
02:26 — Childhood Grief at Age Nine: How Loss Opened His World
Mark shares the story of losing both parents at nine years old — and how grief became a portal to truth, curiosity, and purpose.
04:30 — “Grief Doesn’t Shatter You — It Opens You.” Emotional Truth & Identity
Mark reframes grief as an opener, not a destroyer. This sets the foundation for the episode’s core message on identity and resilience.
06:05 — Avoidance Is the Real Enemy: The Cost of Not Feeling Your Feelings
Why grief isn’t dangerous — avoidance is. The armor we wear to protect ourselves causes the real disconnect and self-abandonment.
07:00 — Kimberly’s Own Story: Losing Five Loved Ones in One Year
Kimberly shares her own grief portal and how loss unlocked a new dimension of identity, creativity, and voice.
07:45 — The Deep End of Joy: Why Feeling Deeply Expands Your Capacity
Grief expands your range — and therefore expands your joy, cr
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