Record Scratch with Kara

Darcey Gohring found her personal voice by writing an essay at the start of the pandemic when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. As a result of the healing she experienced, she now helps writers discover their unique voices to craft meaningful personal stories.  Darcey has 25+ years of professional writing and editing experience. Her work has appeared in Newsweek, HuffPost, Insider, and Scary M...

Feeling complacent with his life, Leon Pettiway, PhD, wondered how he could shake up the predictability of his life. Be careful what you wish for! Dr. Pettiway was soon introduced to Buddhism and became an ordained monk! This is an uncommon journey for anyone, let alone a Black man from North Carolina who was brought up as a Southern Baptist. Now known as the Venerable Lobzang Dorje, he focuses on...

WARNING: This podcast discusses suicide and trauma. There are resource links below if you or anyone you love needs help. Robert and Terri Bogue’s careers have given them a deep respect for trauma. They’ve experienced the impact of pain and mortality through the eyes of emergency medical technicians, paramedics, firefighters, emergency room nurses, pediatric ICU nurses, military personnel, and phys...

My guests, Iva Nasr and Rose, talk about the bond of friendship, the trauma of war —and finding the light during the darkest of moments. Join us for this important — and timely — conversation. We discuss Iva and Rose’s search for inner peace. Iva lived through a war in Lebanon and Rose is currently living in Israel. We explore how to cope, heal, and have vision for unity within the heartbreaking c...

Cheryl Espinosa-Jones is the host of the Good Grief podcast, where she asks, "Why settle for surviving?" after loss. Valid question. In Record Scratch with Kara, we explore the losses that define our lives and how we transform those experiences to help us thrive and be better humans because of those record scratch moments. Post traumatic growth is possible.  Transformation through adversity isn't...

The first time I met Charles, he said the most profound statement that I have ever heard. He shared, “I released the burden of being a Black man through prescriptive yoga and meditation.” I asked Charles to place a pin there and we would return to this someday. This podcast is the followup. Our conversation explores how anyone can achieve internal peace. Charles is a Vietnam veteran, a yogi, and s...

After the sudden death of her daughter, Suzanne Falter discovered the power of self-care to deliver her from high stress, workaholism, and devastating grief. Suzanne is the author of 16 books, and has been a professional writer and speaker since 1980. She hosted the "Self-Care for Extremely Busy Women" podcast, bringing better self-care to thousands of busy people each week in 98 countries around...

What is a death doula? Jeanne Olson is a professional grief navigator, grief educator, and end-of-life doula. Jeanne joins me to discuss how she helps individuals during their final moments of life and her own life path, which inspires her to do the work she does. Jeanne is a Certified Grief Educator and NEDA Proficient Certified End-of-Life Doula through the University of Vermont. She has many ot...

This episode is from the archives of my podcast, Finding Joy with Kara, which explores powerful stories of healing and transformation. My guests on both podcasts all have unique backgrounds and are transforming the world in their own amazing ways.  One of many teachers in my life is Graehme Hall, the founder of The Hermaden Institute and author of ODYSSEYS OF LOVE: DEATH, DEMENTIA AND THE SOUL. Gr...

Over a decade ago, I walked into a room lit up by Iva Nasr's presence. Iva is the one whom Elizabeth Gilbert references in her memoir, EAT PRAY LOVE, of having a "Bat phone to the Universe." We instantly became friends.  When someone asks me what Iva does, I tell them that she facilitates miracles.  Iva possesses a calming presence, and I requested that she deliver the main message at my son Jake'...

Former All-American and NFL star turned social entrepreneur, Marlin Jackson, created the program he needed as a youth: the Fight for Life Foundation, which teaches social-emotional learning modules. These modules (I firmly believe) should be taught in every school across the country, regardless of socioeconomic circumstances. Marlin is a humanitarian, a husband, and the father he never had to his...

Where do we begin with therapy? What should we expect? In our interview, therapist Stephanie Heck, IMFT/ATR, shares the various therapeutic approaches to grief and trauma. We cover family patterns, art therapy, EMDR, and most of all, having a sense of humor goes a long way! Stephanie is a Licensed Independent Marriage and Family Therapist and Registered Art Therapist. She earned her master's degre...

Have you ever wanted to explore something fun — or somewhere exciting? After a few friends shared their "Astrocartography" reading experience with me, I wanted to learn more. Astrolocation | Astrocartography helps someone discover areas around the globe that would be optimal for work, play, love, and relaxation. This is why I was drawn to Rock Star Astrologer Gemini Brett. I am a storyteller — Gem...

In Peaks and Valleys: Integrative Approaches for Recovering from Loss , author and therapist Sherry O'Brian encourages her readers to "enjoy the tools of transformation with an open mind and heart." After all, when you experience grief, your heart is already open since it's broken. Sherry O’Brian is a psychotherapist and the sole proprietor of Mind/Body/Spirit Inner-grations. She specializes in pe...

Lisa shares how her record scratch moment of major life disruption led her to a new career in executive comms. We discuss how we show up with effectiveness, why people lie, and how showing up for ourselves is equally, if not more, important than how we show up for others. Lisa reminds us to use communication for kindness. Tell me more. Lisa Mitchell, CFI, is a communications expert and founder of...

Karen Hellman never believed she could heal after experiencing a severely traumatic event — until she did.   WARNING: this podcast discusses PTSD, trauma, and depression. Karen is a survivor of 9/11. Karen is a testament that you cannot only survive, but thrive after trauma. My friend who referred me to Karen said that her work is "a game changer!" And she's right. Our experiences do not have to d...

What do you do when faced with a painful family secret about your past? I explore the answer to this question with Sunny Lu Williams, CEO and President of TechServ, as we discuss the one family rule she fought against and how keeping things in the family is not always the best approach for your personal mental health. The result: being vulnerable and sharing your story can be healing. Sunny Lu Wil...

Amanda Pua Walsh, M.S., is the CEO & Founder of Astrology Hub, an online platform for astrological guidance and education reaching hundreds of thousands of people worldwide. She’s the creator of the top-rated Astrology Hub Podcast with over 5 million downloads to date.  The insights from her first Astrology reading illuminated a path forward for Amanda. She found hope, clarity and direction - whic...

Chief Grief Officer ™ of The Memory Circle, Barri Leiner Grant shares with Kara her journey of living with the loss of her mother, Ellen. Barri left her career as a publicity and editorial stylist to help people cope with grief full-time.  Grant has studied with the leading names in grief certification and education trainings with Claire Bidwell Smith, David Kessler, and Dora Carpenter. She combin...

Intuitive healer Melanie Ericksen joins Kara to explore how Melanie facilitates turning our wounds into wisdom and enables us to live a joy-filled life! Melanie shares a few of her own Record Scratch moments and how we express trauma (including grief) within our bodies. Melanie provides a long list of tips on what we can do to heal ourselves from trauma and be better versions of ourselves — so pre...

When something unexpected happens in our lives, just like in the movies, everyone and everything seems to freeze, and the soundtrack playing in the background stops abruptly with the sound of a needle across vinyl. A record scratch. This podcast is focused on the courage and resiliency it takes to move through these disruptive moments. My guests share their transformational record scratch moments...