Our Healing Heroine series continues with Jodi, joined by Hero and Mindset Coach Katie Wee. Jodi opens up about her son, Pao, and her experience helping him navigate his mental health struggles. In this heartfelt conversation we discuss his passions, the community that loved him, and her journey of navigating life after his suicide learning to carry her grief while still honoring his story.
Almost a year after Pao’s passing, Jodi attended Katie’s Happy Camp retreat, where she began to discover that healing isn’t about “moving on,” but about finding small ways to move forward—sometimes just one moment at a time. From creating safe spaces at home to finding supportive spaces in your community, to healing modalities like meditation and grief counseling, Jodi reflects on what has helped her keep going in moments when it felt impossible.
This conversation is a reminder that while grief has no ending, you can still find joy again.
What You Will Learn
- [00:13:30] The transition process for teens after crisis care, including partial hospitalization and IOP
- [00:15:00] Creating a “safe house” with no sharps, weapons, or medications — and the social limits that can come with it for a teenager
- [00:16:30] Jodi’s son’s passions, including his for Japanese culture and anime
- [00:19:30] Why it’s so difficult to distinguish crisis from “normal teenage” behavior
- [00:36:15] The importance of surrounding yourself with a community during grief
- [00:38:30] How hitting rock bottom pushed Jodi to try every possible healing practice
- [00:40:30] Taking the leap to attend Katie’s Happy Camp as a major turning point in Jodi's healing
- [00:45:00] The power of Katie’s guided meditation and why it was life-changing for Jodi
- [01:05:45] A grief truth: “Grief has a beginning. It has a middle, but it doesn’t have an end.”
Let’s Connect!
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Jodi
Code: HEROES20 for 20% Off (from now until Columbus Day Weekend)
Katie Wee
Chandler Stroud
Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
Mixing and editing provided by Next Day Podcast.
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