The Light at the Other Side
We are celebrating the light at the end of the tunnel of trauma and abuse and exploring the challenges along the way. My name is Melissa Corrigan, or simpIy ~m. I'm an adoptee, trauma survivor, Navy veteran, mom to LGBT teens, ally, advocate, wife, friend, and person. I have amassed a wealth of life experiences (with or without my consent), and I'm here to share valuable life lessons, wisdom, stories, and random pieces of information like great recipes and interesting works of art. If you're looking for partisan positioning, I lean to the left. The above paragraph should have let you know that. I believe every human being has the inherent right to dignity, safety, and freedom. Aside from that, I'm open to discussion and contemplation of all viewpoints. My writing can be found at Medium and includes essays on adoption, trans issues, parenting, parenting specifically LGBT kids, and more.
Episodes
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 se...
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/@brettthomasferek
As we publish the wo...
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 ...
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:
If you're following along, make sure to join the Fac...
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-7e6799fb5cae
https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/adrift-the-spaces-in-between-3eb6c3854a6b
Join our Facebook group and join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198
Thank you for...
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/268440279538198
Thanks friends, and as always, be well!
~m
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 me...
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 ...
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 c...
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 s...
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 assault...
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.
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