Real & Rooted

What Grief Does to a Marriage Lori explores how devastating loss can change a marriage from the inside out, especially when both people are grieving the same person in different ways. This episode is a candid, compassionate look at distance, resentment, vulnerability, and whether a relationship can be rebuilt after trauma. In this episode, Lori shares how grief can create emotional isolation even...

Lori opens Season 2 with a deeply personal reflection on what it means to move from surviving to living after loss. She talks through how grief reshapes marriage, parenting, identity, and faith, using the shoreline as the central metaphor for healing, growth, and resilience. This episode is a solo conversation from Lori, and it matters because it names the quiet ways grief changes every relationsh...

Lori reflects on a hard personal season and the quote that opened the episode: that the worst times of life reveal the true colors of people around us, and of ourselves. She unpacks grief, career disruption, and the quiet ways survival mode can look like strength while actually keeping us locked behind a steel gate. This episode is especially meaningful for anyone carrying loss while still functio...

Military mental health, suicide warning signs, and how to get help Lori Kendall opens with a direct, personal conversation about military mental health and why the hardest topics need to be spoken about plainly. She focuses on what warning signs can look like, how suicide risk can hide behind “functioning,” and what service members, families, and command can do before a crisis hits. This episode i...

Awareness alone does not save lives - prevention starts with the conversations we are willing to have before a crisis ever arrives.  Lori delivers a deeply personal and urgent episode about moving from suicide awareness to real-world action, especially for military families, service members, veterans, and anyone who loves someone carrying pain in silence. After opening the season with the reality...

Show Notes In this episode of The Real and Rooted Podcast , Lori Kendall opens Season 2 by sharing the personal and emotional journey that shaped this new chapter. She reflects on stepping away to care for her mental health, process grief, and rebuild, setting the tone for a season focused on deeper listening, healing, and growth. The episode centers on “the battle no one sees” — the invisible str...

Support the show Visit Missing Pieces The Final Salute Group on Facebook Real & Rooted Podcast Missing Pieces Book Order   The Kole T. Kendall Anchored Navigation Project

This special Mother’s Day episode dives into the layered emotions of motherhood—love, grief, resilience, and renewal. Lori shares her personal journey and insights on how grief reshapes us and why taking mental resets is vital for growth and healing. Key topics:  The duality of Mother’s Day — celebration and loss  How grief reorganizes the architecture of our lives and identities  The importance o...

In this episode of the Real and Rooted podcast, Lori shares a heartfelt reflection on the quiet moments of change—those shifts that often go unnoticed but profoundly impact our lives. Tune in to explore how recognizing these subtle signals can lead to alignment and growth. Main Topics:  The significance of unnoticed moments that signal transformation   Differentiating success on the outside from i...

Living Between Two Worlds: Grief, Connection, and Moving Forward In this heartfelt episode of The Real and Rooted podcast, Lori Kendall shares her deeply personal journey of navigating grief after the loss of her child, Kole. She explores the emotional space between past memories and future hopes, emphasizing the importance of grace, connection, and carrying loved ones forward in many forms. Key T...

Shedding and Growth: Navigating Life’s Shoreline with Lori Kendall Join Lori Kendall in this heartfelt episode of the Real and Rooted podcast as she reflects on the power of connection, growth, and letting go. After a meaningful weekend with Coast Guard moms, she shares personal insights on grief, transition, and the importance of community during uncertain times. Key Topics:   The significance of...

Embracing Change and Personal Growth — Sunday Shorelines Podcast  In this episode, Lori explores the sacred space of Sunday as a metaphor for transition and growth. She encourages listeners to embrace their evolution, recognizing that outgrowing old patterns is a sign of alignment, not failure, and offers guidance on navigating the discomfort that change brings. Key Topics:   The significance of S...

Title: Navigating the Invisible Struggles of Grief and Loss  In this heartfelt episode of the Real and Rooted Podcast, Lori shares her deeply personal experience with grief after the loss of her child, Kole. She explores the messy, non-linear nature of grief, the importance of understanding triggers, setting boundaries, and creating rituals for healing. Whether you're grieving yourself or sup...

In this heartfelt episode, Lori Kendall addresses the heavy but vital topics of self-harm, suicide, and the unique mental health challenges faced by the military community. She shares personal insights, offers compassionate guidance, and emphasizes the importance of community and connection in healing. Key Topics:   The emotional toll of military service and the silent struggles of service members...

Rediscovering Yourself in Life’s Seasons | Sunday Shoreline with Lori Kendall In this episode of Sunday Shoreline, Lori Kendall guides you through understanding and navigating the different seasons of life—whether you're rooted, blooming, thriving, or reshaping after loss. She offers practical tools to reconnect with your true self amid life's inevitable transitions. Key Topics:  Recogni...

 This episode offers a compassionate exploration of life post-trauma, focusing on vulnerability, healing, and the journey toward self-renewal. Lori Kendall shares honest reflections and practical guidance for those feeling lost in transition, emphasizing that moving forward is a gradual, gentle process. Main Topics:   The silence and inner voice that follow trauma and grief   How to recognize and...

Healing, Loss, and Perception: Navigating Identity After TraumaIn this episode of the Real and Rooted Wednesday Dive-In, Lori Kendall explores the profound experience of grief, loss, and how traumatic events reshape our perception of ourselves and others. She offers compassionate insights on navigating the journey of rebuilding identity and recognizing the little things that matter in recovery. Ke...

Finding Gratitude in Hard Moments: A Reflection on the Sunday Shoreline In this episode of the Sunday Shoreline, Lori Kendall invites listeners to slow down and practice gratitude, especially during challenging weeks. She shares personal stories of loss, hope, and legacy, encouraging honest reflection and recognizing small moments of relief and strength. Whether you're driving, walking, or re...

Navigating Grief and Finding Your Emotional Shoreline In this heartfelt episode of Real and Rooted , Lori Kendall shares honest reflections on grief, healing, and how life continues moving forward even when we're not ready. If you're quietly struggling with loss or life transitions, this episode offers compassionate insights and practical ways to stay grounded through your journey. Key T...

Finding Calm on Your Sunday Shoreline: Reflect, Reset, Recharge In this episode of the Real and Rooted podcast, Lori guides listeners through a calming reflection practice designed to help you find your emotional shoreline amidst life's waves. Perfect for Sunday evenings, this episode offers tools to pause, process, and prepare for the week ahead with intention. Key Topics:  Creating a peacef...

In this opening episode of Real & Rooted , Lori invites listeners into a space of honesty, gentleness, and grounded reflection. She shares the heart behind the podcast — why it exists, who it’s for, and how slowing down to tell the truth about our lives can become a pathway to healing, resilience, and deeper connection. This is the beginning of a community rooted in compassion and real convers...