Stories that Empower

Stephanie Raffelock and I bring you another episode of "Holiday Stories" with our special guest, Kathryn Taylor. tags: Kathryn, Taylor, writer, author, Two, Minus, One, Memoir, storiesthatempower.com, story, stories, that, empower, empowering, empowerment, inspire, inspiring, inspiration, encourage, encouraging, encouragement, hope, light, podcast, Sean https://storiesthatempower.com/

Rebecca experienced cancer diagnosis through the eyes of a daughter. She knew she could either focus on what isn't (allow fear to creep in) or focus on what is (enjoy each day). Rebecca chose the latter. She shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - appreciate every moment - encourage perseverance - focus on mind, body, spirit connection - our minds have the power to heal our bodies - how yo...

Stephanie Raffelock and I bring you another episode of "Holiday Stories" with our special guest, Jeanne Guy. tags: Jeanne, Guy, writer, author, gatherings, workshops, Seeing, Me, storiesthatempower.com, story, stories, that, empower, empowering, empowerment, inspire, inspiring, inspiration, encourage, encouraging, encouragement, hope, light, podcast, Sean https://storiesthatempower.com/

When Kristen lost her baby, she leaned into journaling as a way of coping and navigating loss. She felt a loss of relationships, identity and dreams. Kristen chose not to allow events to define her. She navigated from the grief and rebuilt herself from the ground up. Kristen put herself back together again in new and better ways. She shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - change and traum...

A special "Holiday Stories" episode with guest Stephanie Raffelock. tags: Stephanie, Raffelock, holiday, stories, storiesthatempower.com, story, stories, that, empower, empowering, empowerment, inspire, inspiring, inspiration, encourage, encouraging, encouragement, hope, light, podcast, Sean

Losing her brother to AIDS and her spouse to cancer, planted seeds of addiction in Rosemary. She felt that was surviving from crisis management. Rosemary shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - we need an outlet for our emotions - exercise helps us to cope - accept that it's time to grieve - the only way past it is through it - the edges will soften in time - seek a relationship with a hig...

As a former school teacher in Louisiana, Eileen was encouraged to retain or hold back students. This never rested well with her. Writing about the experience and being asked to return to speak, made her feel that she could pay back the children that she may have let down. Eileen shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - writing heals - forgive ourselves - have courage to move forward - preju...

Mary talks about depression, mental health and self care. She shares the following nuggets of life wisdom: - it's helpful to speak with a neutral party - be able to recognize issues earlier - pause at the conclusion of huge life changes - the importance of hope - we need something more than ourselves to strive for - look for our dreams - seek gratitude - give to our communities - if we're experien...

Risa's family and many others lost their homes during the 1991 Oakland Hills fire in California. She had to start with nothing and was pushed into action. Risa had to rebuild a home for her 3 young children. She found glimmers of light to try to establish a sense of a normal life. Her neighborhood and community pulled together for those families. Risa shares the following nuggets of life wisdom fo...

Rifka was the daughter of an unstable single mother and sought freedom from all limitations. Her attempted suicide was the turning point. She began a journey from a place of darkness to a place of light. Rifka discovered an inner voice and deep intuition that always knows what's best for her. She feels that the hand of grace was evident in her life. Rifka now teaches meditation. She shares the fol...

Mary was the second illegitimate child of a single unconventional mother. She did not have the money to attend college, so she took a job as a stripper. Mary took the grim descent into the underworld. Fortunately, she met someone, got married, attended college and finished her university degree. Then, one day, her husband died at the age of 33. Mary and her young son were left with nothing to live...

When Carlyn discovered she was adopted through an Ancestry DNA test, it felt like a tsunami hit her. Initially, she felt shock, anger, abandonment, sadness and grief. Her identity got pulled out from her. Everything started to unravel. What got her through it all what her profound sense of gratitude. She was able to move through it all and put the pieces back together again. She shares these power...

Janna experienced grief in her midlife and her internal dialogue felt interrupted. She spent two weeks in a casita (a small house) by herself, where she made room for and listened for what was being said. What Janna heard was profound, empowering, inspiring and affirming. She realized that she was not experiencing a midlife crisis, but rather grief as we say goodbye to things. Today, Janna helps o...

Stefanos was living a life of lies, compulsions and addictions. He was unfaithful in his relationships. Then, Stefanos was caught. This was catalyst that changed his life. He realized that his soul wanted to be caught all along, but he didn't have the courage to stop it. This also helped him to realize the hardship, trauma, abuse and isolation that he felt as a child. Stefanos realized that he had...

Rebecca walked the path of cancer with her mom twice, including when she was going through a divorce with small children. She knew she had a choice. Rebecca could crumble under the weight of it all or accept that change is how we grow. She took on her mom's strength, chose to live a life of gratitude and became an observer in her life. Rebecca shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - choose...

Diane lived in an orphanage, then adopted by a family. She felt rejected and abandoned, as if no one was coming to retrieve her. Diane internalized the trauma. She became her own mother and father; with inner logical voices of wisdom. Then, Diane's biological father contacted her. Initially, her cart was turned over, as she had to become conscious of her new and old self. Then, Diane began to feel...

Watching her mother and grandmother experience alzheimer's disease, encouraged Joan to pursue to educate and empower herself on the disease. She shares the following nuggets of life wisdom: - there is no way to calculate own personal risk - we need to be comfortable with the risk of alzheimer's - good writing is authentic - educate yourself about alzheimer's at https://alz.org/ Originally from Mou...

Randall grew up as a welfare kid, became homeless and considered taking his own life. After winning a $50 million lottery, he became a victim of white collar crime. Randall shares these nuggets of life wisdom: - no matter how dire your situation is there's always hope, - when things get hard, return back to your center (e.g. your family, your faith) - when you go up, don't forget where you come fr...

Growing up in a loud New York family, Jordan's communication style was very direct. This worked well for him as a Chief Operating Officer. After being fired from his job, Jordan realized that some may have found his direct communication style to be abrasive. So, he started practicing compassion cultivation and mindfulness. As an executive coach, Jordan teaches others to be respectful, tactful and...

Nora wasn't happy practicing law. She knew she wanted a change, but didn't have the courage to introduce it. Then, one very dramatic incident changed her life. Nora's mother and aunt both passed away, due to a car accident. This gave her the courage to make a change in her life and open a journey into mindfulness. Today, she coaches clients on mindfulness practice and training. Nora shares these p...

Virginia looked death in the face, when she nearly lost her spouse. She also started experiencing challenges with her eyesight. Virginia realized that not being to see well helps her see better with her heart. These experiences were opportunities for their growth and for finding more joy in their lives. Virginia shares the following nuggets of life wisdom, which are so applicable in this current t...

Ilene lost her mother and sister. Events outside of her control affected her life. Ilene struggled as a single mother on welfare. Then, she began to go on a journey of who she is and what matters to her. Ilene learned that she is resilient, has life skills and experiences. Her self compassion grew, she became proud of herself and recognized that she has wisdom to share with others. Today, as a the...

Christine was molested by a family member. She was also attacked and beaten up by a stranger. Christine never talked about these things, as she felt shame and experienced low self esteem. She didn't trust her own voice. Then, Christine's place in the world shifted. Getting her story out there really made the difference. Today, Christine feels empowered. She shares these powerful nuggets of life wi...

Rebecca's youngest child was diagnosed with sensory processing disorder. She didn't want others to struggle, as she did. So, Rebecca decided to write a book. She feels that the experience saved her family. Rebecca shares the following nuggets of life wisdom: - advocate for your own child - build the right support team - slow down and focus on what really matters in life - look at life with an open...

Carolyn came of age during the Vietnam war. She had wrestled with and had doubts about things that she had been taught. Carolyn began a journey and career to answer the question "how did we get here". She strives to help change others' lives and perspectives, just as hers were changed. Carolyn shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom: - follow your conscience - form relationships with people f...