Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris

Coming on the heels of the first of a 3 part mini-series.  In last week's episode, I shared a surprise that would lead me down a dark path of discovery, highlighting significant traumas early in my life.  

I've been told that my willingness to share will help others. If you are wondering if I received help dealing with these traumas----the answer is yes.  As I advise anyone of my grieving clients to seek the guid...

I have been leading up to some heavy stuff this season.  I have also been told that my willingness to share my experiences with trauma could ultimately help others with theirs.  I am opening up about some of the traumas of my past.  

Infidelity and Child Abuse are often taboo topics.  Unfortunately, I have trauma from both as they overlapped most of my life.  Take listen to my story.  If it resonates, I hope it helps you. ...

Today I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing and learning from Megan Kopka, CFP®, CRPC®.  Megan is wonderful financial planner with a ton of experience in both life and career. 

Megan is also a widow who had the daunting experience of being a caregiver for her husband, while raising two children.  Her ability to not only make it through the experience, but to help others in their journey, is truly remarkable.  I am ho...

In today's episode I talk about grief reminders.  I want to be clear that grief reminders are different than grief triggers.

I explore the technical definition by the Mayo Clinic.

I also use a personal example of a grief reminder that I recently experienced.

I also mention free resources for Grief Trigger support.

If you like this episode, please free to pass this along to any friends, famil...

In today's episode I have the distinct pleasure of RE-Introducing Carolyn Moor.  Although she needs no introduction, Carolyn was the first to introduce me to the idea of Super Survivors.  She is well known as the founder and director of the Modern Widows Club.

Today, I have the honor of picking Carolyn's brain in terms of what made her a Super Survivor.  

We focus on 4 main areas:

Choose Life:  ...

Super Survivors Volunteer! Super Survivors Volunteer!! Super Survivors Volunteer!!!  I have spoken in previous podcasts about the power of volunteering.  In this podcast I talk about 10 definitive benefits of volunteering.  Furthermore, Super Survivors embrace volunteering in the format of striving to help others. 

Here are the 10 benefits mentioned above:

1. Provides you with a sense of purpose
You may be ab...

In this episode we explore Brain Fog.  Simply stated, Brain Fog is the brain's way of protecting itself.

Brain Fog  clouds memory function during times of grief, trauma or extreme stress.   Specifically, concentration and  mental acuity are affected.  

I noted having a hard time juggling normal tasks without feeling overwhelmed.  I also seemed to forget things with regularity until the brain fog passed.  

In today’s podcast I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lisa McFarland.  If you recall I interviewed Lisa in Season 3.  Lisa is a mother who has thrived through significant grief from child loss, divorce and caring for a special needs child. 

In our conversation today, we talk at length about her uncanny ability to become a Super Survivor. During her explanation you will understand the four areas in which Lisa has ...

I am pleased to introduce Super Survivor Donna Kendrick.  Donna was widowed in 2013.  Remarkably, she made Super Survivor status in her plight to make life easier for other widows after her own experience.  Donna found life after grief when she found new love and remarried in 2022.  She now enjoys an expanded family with six children. 

Donna focuses on helping families in transition.  

Donna has many resources ava...

This episode is all about Super Survivors. A Super Survivor is an individual that faces tragedy head on, turns it on its head and makes use of the tragedy in a manner that helps others.  

I talk about a book, which I will refer to periodically this season---Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges by Steven M. Southwick & Dennis S. Charney.

On Page 230 we dive into what sets a Super Surv...

As we begin Season 5 with a bang, I have encountered so many strong, enduring and growth minded folks.  In this episode I speak about Resilience.  The power of resilience can be inherited and/or acquired.  In my case, I gained resilience through a combination of both.  Throughout this season you will hear me bring up the concept of Super Survivor.  I was fortunate to be introduced both to the idea and some pretty dynamic Super Surv...

In the final episode of Season 4, I would like to extend my complete gratitude to all guests, listeners and supporters of the podcast. In my wildest dreams, I  would never have  imagined that my experience, let alone my podcast, would be able to touch so many folks.  

I have been told over and over that my podcast has given life, eased the burden, provided perspective and renewed faith in the lives of so many.

In ...

In today's episode, I have an awe inspiring guest. Please meet Kathi Balasek, MA. Kathi is an educator, grief literacy communication coach, corporate consultant, university lecturer, speaker, podcast host, and widow advocate. She teaches professionals how to improve their grief literacy communication skills to best serve bereaved clients.

I asked Kathi to be on the podcast, not only for her accolades, but for the comp...

In this week's episode I talk about my experience with Meningitis and the financial impact to my family.  

I was in the hospital for 7 days as a child and the financial impact on my family was real. My mother was always a saver and put funds away for rainy days. 

#Saving #financialawareness #emergencyfunds 

Did you know you can now Help Us Continue Making Awesome Content for Listeners Affected ...

In today's episode, I am reaching across the globe. I am excited to interview a like minded financial professional all the way from South Africa. Please meet Louis Van Der Merwe.  

Louis  a fellow Certified Financial Transitionist® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Podcaster, Financial Planner, husband and  father.

Louis is unique in his practice as he specializes in working with clients who lost parents through death ...

In this week's episode, I am delighted to meet and introduce a marvelous lady with a ton of wisdom, perspective and life experience. Please meet Liz Snyder, CFP®.  Liz is a former therapist, turned financial planner. I love her gentle disposition and the way she helps clients, unlike any other financial planner I have met. 

Liz really dives deep with her clients, understanding how their emotions impact financial deci...

In today's episode, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing Carolyn Moor. Carolyn needs no introduction as she is very well known even before this podcast. She is the founder and director of the Modern Widows Club.

Carolyn's  organization grew out of 11 years of widowhood and the figuring out of resources on her own. Since 2011 her organization is known worldwide and helps widows immensely. Her website is htt...

You heard that right!!! Hamsters and Grief. In this episode I speak about the opportunity cost of having a hamster in terms of children bearing the responsibility of caring for a living creature.  

The opportunity cost for my son to learn responsibility the hard way after losing Otis, the hamster, twice was roughly $1000. The experience was priceless. Luckily for us, Otis has 9 lives. 

The USDA estimates the true ...

On the heels of an amazing episode with Carolyn Moor of the Modern Widows club, I thought it would be appropriate to share Financial Steps for Widows. 

I break the steps into Emotional and Technical (Financial).

Emotional.... As emotions drive decision making, I encourage all grievers to give themselves space to breathe.

•  Let your emotions out.  They are normal. 
•  Surround yourself with positive people...