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What happens when everything in your life changes at once? For Angela Clement, retirement plans with her husband transformed into a cancer diagnosis, and then widowhood. Rather than remain stuck in her grief, Angela followed a calling toward energy healing that had fascinated her since witnessing a healer help her son years earlier.

The conversation reveals practical energy techniques, like "the triple warmer smoothie" that anyone can use during acute grief episodes. She explains how various modalities—Reiki, shamanic practices, sound healing, cranial sacral therapy—provide different pathways to release emotional blockages that grief creates.

Most powerfully, Angela reframes how we understand grief itself. Rather than seeing it as something to overcome, she views grief as "a God-given process that helps us through when we need to let go." This perspective recognizes grief as a natural companion to all of life's transitions. The emotions we typically resist during grief—anger, jealousy, guilt—become catalysts for healing when we learn to lean into rather than avoid them.

The discussion offers hope that grief work isn't just about surviving loss but potentially transforming through it. Angela describes how grief "bursts" that seem like setbacks might actually be communications from loved ones or opportunities for deeper healing.

Angela welcomes grievers to join her free support group , and shares information about her book "Awakening Through Grief." Her gentle approach demonstrates that while we can't eliminate grief, we can develop a healthier relationship with it through energy practices that honor our whole being—body, mind, and spirit.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
info@asiliveandgrieve.com
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To Reach Angela:
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Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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When the person who helps others through grief suddenly faces devastating loss themselves, what happens? Steve Moore, a licensed clinical professional counselor with 22 years of experience, joins us to share his powerful journey through grief after losing his wife MaryAnn in August 2024.

Steve brings a uniquely qualified perspective to grief counseling. He found himself navigating anticipatory grief when his wife developed a rare genetic condition, leading him to step away from his practice temporarily to become her full-time caregiver.

"The first rule of thumb for me as a counselor is take care of me first," Steve explains. This seemingly counterintuitive approach mirrors the airplane oxygen mask analogy - secure your own before helping others. Through seeking counseling himself and attending grief groups, Steve demonstrates how mental health professionals must practice the self-care they preach.

What makes this conversation particularly illuminating is Steve's willingness to discuss vulnerability in the therapeutic relationship. Rather than diminishing his effectiveness, he believes that appropriately sharing his grief journey with clients creates deeper empathetic connections and therapeutic bonds. His metaphor comparing finding the right therapist to trying on clothes ("you'll know when you feel like you've made a connection") offers practical wisdom for anyone seeking support.

Steve closes with a beautiful anonymous poem that captures the transformation of grief: "You never truly move on. You move with it." This episode reminds us that grief professionals aren't immune to loss - their human experiences often deepen their capacity to guide others through similar journeys.

Contact:
www.asiliveandgrieve.com
info@asiliveandgrieve.com
Facebook: As I Live and Grieve
Instagram: @asiliveandgrieve
YouTube: asiliveandgrieve
TikTok: @asiliveandgrieve

To Reach Steve:
Email: serenity_counseling_services@outlook.com

Credits:
Music by Kevin MacLeod

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.

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Kathy welcomes Erin Whalen, founder of Compassionate Coaching, for a fascinating exploration of how innovative approaches to storytelling and communication can transform the caregiving experience. Drawing from her background in professional acting, Erin reveals how Playback Theater—a unique art form where actors immediately perform the personal stories shared by audience members—creates powerful moments of catharsis and perspective for those navigating grief.

"We play back not just for the sake of playing it back. It's really a way to get to the heart of the story," Erin explains, describing how this approach helps people process complex emotions by witnessing their experiences from new angles. The conversation delves into how these performances can become touchstones in a griever's journey, with moments that resonate years later.

Beyond theatrical approaches, the episode offers practical wisdom for anyone supporting those facing end-of-life situations. Erin shares insights from her work training healthcare professionals in communication skills, emphasizing the transformative power of silence when delivering difficult news. "I am the biggest fan in the world of exceedingly long pauses," she reveals, challenging listeners to resist the urge to fill uncomfortable silences and instead create space for authentic processing.

The conversation touches on anticipatory grief—the grief experienced before a death occurs—and how caregivers often struggle with these complex emotions while still providing care. Erin's forthcoming book on this topic promises to shed light on an under-discussed aspect of the caregiving journey. Whether you're a professional caregiver, supporting a loved one through illness, or simply want to better understand how to show up for those who grieve, this episode offers both practical communication strategies and innovative approaches to processing the complex emotions that accompany loss.

To contact Erin:

Website: Compassionate Coaching

Instagram: Erin Whalen (@erin_compassionatecoaching) • Instagram photos and videos

LinkedIn: LinkedIn

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Copyright 2020, by As I Live and Grieve

The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent.