Moving Forward with Mia and Julia

Darnell Lamont Walker is a successful writer for children's tv, an adventure seeker and the author of Never Can Say Goodbye. Since childhood, Darnell has helped others who are at the end of their lives and became a death doula to continue to support them. You can learn all about Darnell's speaking engagements, work, and how to contact him at https://www.darnellwalker.com/.

We know from your questions and comments that our first episode and discussing the grief that comes with infertility was something you wanted to hear more about, so we welcome Racquel Hill, who shared her own journey through infertility, multiple miscarriages, and grieving through each step of that process. Her story is one of resilience and hope. Keep sharing the topics that would be beneficial f...

Jennifer Chase is a survivor of generational trauma, sexual assault and addiction. Her story and telling it has enabled her to help others. You can find more about her and set up time to connect wit her at www.riseaddictionlc.com.

Dr. Dale Atkins is a psychologist and a relationship expert with 40 years experience. She is based out of New York City and also is a writer of many popular books. Most recently, she penned our new favorite children's book, The Turquoise Butterfly which delves into the important relationship between a grandparent and grandchild and the impact that grandparents leave. For more information about...

John Dedakis is an award-winning novelist, a writing coach, and a manuscript editor and public speaker, as well as a former editor on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer" and a former White House Correspondent. John is also a bereaved parent and has had numerous losses in his life that has shaped his writing and speaking today. You can learn more about John, his books, and up...

We know that art, theater, and music have the power to make change in so many ways. That's why we invited Kira Lace Hawkins, the Outreach and Education Director for the Wagon Wheel Center for the Arts, and Sam Engle, who serves as the theater's Communications and Donor Relations Coordinator. To learn more about Kira and Sam, visit https://wagonwheelcenter.org/about/staff-and-board/. For mo...

Avonley Lightstone is the author of Strength of Scars, a raw and redemptive autobiography that takes readers through a childhood marked by tragedy, trauma, and abuse — and the unwavering faith that helped her rise from it all. At just three years old, she tried to save her mother from a house fire. Tragically, her mother didn’t survive, and shortly after, her father placed her up for adoption. Wha...

​Catherine Newman is the  New York Times  bestselling author of the memoirs  Catastrophic Happiness  and  Waiting for Birdy , the middle-grade novel  One Mixed-Up Night , the kids’ craft book  Stitch Camp  (co-authored with Nicole Blum), the best-selling how-to books for kids  How to Be a Person  and  What Can I Say?  and the novels  We All Want Impossible Things ,  Sandwich,  and  Wreck . She wri...

NFDA.org Spokesperson, Stephen R. Kemp, CFSP, is the owner of Kemp Funeral Home & Cremation Services in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. His professional journey began in scientific research, working as a research associate at the Henry Ford Heart and Vascular Institute, VA Medical Center, and Biosan Laboratories. Transitioning to funeral service, Stephen earned his mortuary science degree from Way...

Leslie has lost many loved ones, including two babies in infancy. When her twenty year old son, Austin, died in 2016, she began to speak out suicide prevention and awareness. Leslie's story continues to impact and inspire many and we know that her story has something that we can all learn from. For more about Leslie and her work, visit https://leslieshope.org/.

Keith Sampson believes that business is the greatest untapped vertical for personal purpose and fulfillment. For over 20 years, he has been helping people and organizations choose to grow through life instead of choosing to go through life, unlocking their potential, building culture, and inspiring action. At the age of 19, Keith experienced a life-changing moment that shaped his life, laying the...

At the age of nine, Laura was diagnosed with an eye disease and faced the difficult reality that she would become blind. Over the next ten years she experienced the traumatic transition of adjusting to life without sight. She is the author of the book, Harnessing Courage. Laura founded Ubi Global, which is an organization that provides speaking and coaching to empower all people to overcome challe...

Rick and Clancy Denton of The Loud Quiet (https://www.theloudquiet.com/) joined us today to talk about the good, the bad, and the sad that happens when your children move out. The two started their podcast, "The Loud Quiet-Empty Nest Living" when their youngest went to college. You can listen wherever you get your podcast. Watch out for their book in 2026!

Susan Shaw is a writer, speaker, and a mother who is learning to live following the profound loss of her son, William, who died in a ski accident in 2019. Susan shares her story, writing prompts, and resources and tips to move forward following loss on https://www.bereavementmom.com/. She also supports families who are grieving through https://www.williamsbeyourselfchallenge.org/.

Ellen O’Clover writes stories about love, identity, and belonging for both teens and adults. Her debut romance, The Heartbreak Hotel, was a Book of the Month selection and a regional indie bestseller. Her debut young adult novel, Seven Percent of Ro Devereux, was named a Best Book of the Year by The Bank Street Center for Children’s Education and a finalist for both the Colorado Book Award and the...

Jane is a highly experienced and trained professional nurse, holistic health coach, health and wellness advocate, grief educator, speaker, and workshop presenter. As a master facilitator of lifestyle change, Jane knows that certain approaches and techniques bring about the changes people want and need to feel healthy and whole. This perspective and practices come directly from integrating her prof...

Malisa Hepner is a therapist, podcast host, and public speaker who helps people quiet the noise of trauma, reconnect with themselves, and embody the light. She’s the host of Emotionally Unavailable and one of the hosts of Unquiet Soul, two shows that open space for deep, real, and transformative conversations. Malisa is also the creator of healing workbooks like Safe to Be Seen and The Beauty of I...

Kanika is a Radiant Empowerment Coach and Akashic Records Reader. She guides spiritual entrepreneurs, leaders, and changemakers who are ready for more—more radiance, more freedom, more soul. Kanika helps clients break through invisible ceilings, awaken their unique gifts, and step into a new level of clarity, self-trust, and authentic leadership. Through her work, clients move into joy in everyday...

Nicholas Ruchlewicz was in a single vehicle motorcycle crash on March 15, 2016, and suffered a separated pelvic circle, broken Sacro-iliac, crushed left orbital, massive concussion, and a right-side brain bleed and hematoma. He was in ICU, for 2 weeks, non-cognizant, then in an acute rehab hospital for 2 weeks, learning how to focus, move his left side, and see. His trauma and brain injury have al...

Angie Hawkins is an Inner Glow Coach who transforms high-achieving, spiritual women from chasing love and approval to radiating fierce confidence so they can finally feel happy, free, and loved for who they are. She works with women who’ve done therapy, read the books, tried the spiritual path, but still feel like something’s missing. Through deep inner work and identity transformation, she helps...

Ashley Perkins, PharmD, is a mental health advocate with a background as a pharmacist and educator. She graduated from Butler University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in 2008 and is currently in the EdD program at Marshall University, with a focus on curriculum and instruction. In March of 2020, with John Bollinger, they began the process of forming We Matter Too, Inc. which focuses on...

Julie Barth is a mom and an author who has experienced grief on so many levels from the struggles with her daughter's health, the death of her husband, and later, being in an abusive relationship. Her story is one of courage and overcoming obstacles that kept coming. We appreciate Julie's authentic storytelling and know you will too. For more information about Julie, her writing, and her n...

Noah May is from Alabama. He graduated from Auburn University in 2024 with a degree in journalism. He has dealt with mental health struggles since he was 13 and is no longer staying silent. Join us as Noah shares his story and more about how podcasting has become his outlet. You can hear more from Noah on his own podcast, Lethal Venom, wherever you listen to podcasts.

Leah Chrest is the author of At the Edge of the Jordan and It's Okay to Be Okay.  She is a high school teacher, mom, step-mom and wife.  She also serves as a lay preacher and a teacher of Christian meditation.

Walker Posey is a fourth-generation funeral director and embalmer with a family history dating back 130 years in funeral service. Walker provides resources, grief groups, etc. at Poseycares.com , illustrating how much he cares about supporting those in their time of need. He also provided us with some amazing tips that we hadn't even considered. Learn more from Walker's unique perspective in obser...