Chasing Brighter Podcast: A Midlife Guide To Your Best Life

Let’s talk about ”The Year Of Magical Thinking”

Welcome back to the Chasing Brighter Podcast. Today we are talking about our September Book Club Pick: "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion in 2005. This book is immerses you in Joan's experience of grief and loss in the first year after the sudden death of her husband, author John Dunne, and simultaneously the hospitalization of her only daughter, Quintana Roo. Sound like a downer?! It's not! Full of humor & amazing writing -- that's why it's a fitting read for our September focus on loss & grief. NOTE: This episode is full of spoilers, thoughts and feelings! In this episode you will learn:- Joan's courageous exploration of grief- The way storytelling can highlight the universal nature of grief and instinct to find meaning in loss- Anecdotes in navigating lost of a spouse/close loved one- Why is this story of loss considered "magical thinking"
Book mentioned in this episode: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
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The Task of Healing For Survivors Of Suicide

We recently sat down with, Dr. Corinne Cherek, Founder of Grace from Grief counselling. 
She shares her own journey with grief and loss. She tells us when grieving try to look forward:
Plan a trip, connect with a friend, go back to college. Start small with something that inspires you. Reconnect with nature.
Find strength in a higher power: God, love, anything higher than you.
Questioning “if I would have done this or that” is a natural part of grief. We do not want to accept that we have no control.
In her grief counseling practice, Grace from Grief, she addresses the correlation between grief, loss, trauma, traumatic loss and/or illness, and addiction.  She does this with a focus on spiritual recovery, empowering hope, encouraging compassion.
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We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
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Finding Meaning and Purpose from Grief with Dr. Corinne Cherek

Kelly and Jessica talk with Dr. Corinne Cherek with is board certified as a Clinical Chaplain and Spiritual Psychotherapist. Dr. Cherek is an experienced counselor with a demonstrated history of working in hospice and the mental health care industry.
Together, they explore the many aspects of grief, loss and healing as Dr. Cherek shares her own person story of losing a child.  
Dr. Cherek encourages those who are grieving to try to look forward and make plans. 
Find strength in a higher power: God, love, anything higher than you. 
Questioning “if I would have done this or that” is a natural part of grief. We do not want to accept that we have no control.
Dr. Cherek is founder of Grace From Grief Counseling providing grief and spiritual counseling services for individuals, families, and/or groups experiencing grief, loss, traumatic loss, and/or illness
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Shop the Amazing Products of Warrior Strong Wellness
Check out our Chasing Brighter Blog.
Follow our journey on Instagram: @chasingbrighter
We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
Thanks for listening!!!

Healing and Coping With Grief

Grief & Loss Discussed for Suicide Prevention Month
Jessica and Kelly discussed their plans to focus on the topic of grief and loss in their series, aligning it with Suicide Prevention Month. Despite Kelly's initial reluctance to delve into such a heavy topic, they both agreed that it was a relevant and necessary subject to discuss, given that everyone has faced loss or will face it in their lives. They intended to provide listeners with tools and tips to cope with grief, and they hoped that even those who didn't immediately relate to the topic might find it useful in the future. Here are the key topics we discuss:
Upbringing: Death Perception Discussion - Jessica and Kelly discussed their experiences growing up on a farm and their religion had an impact on their understanding of life and death.
Grief, Suicide, and Personal Loss - the process of grief, including the stages of grief, which they noted were originally developed to describe people facing their own death rather than survivors.
Grief, Afterlife, and New Life: A Discussion - personal experiences with grief and the concept of the afterlife. They discussed the book "The Lovely Bones," which depicts a young girl watching her family from the afterlife.
Grief, Coping, and Self-Care Strategies - personal experiences with grief and the coping strategies they've employed. They emphasized that the grieving process is unique to each individual and can take an extended period of time.
Emotional Healing and Self-Care Discussion - the importance of self-care and the process of emotional healing. They also talked about the therapeutic value of understanding the root of emotions, using the RAIN method.
Celebrating and Memorializing Lost Loved Ones  - discussed ways to memorialize and celebrate the life of a loved one who has passed away.
Grieving Support: Listen, Ask, Summarize - how to support someone who is grieving. They emphasized the importance of listening, asking questions, and summarizing what the person is going through, without making it about oneself.
Support and Reminders in Difficult Times - discussed the importance of offering support and providing reminders to loved ones during difficult times.
Suicide Discussion: Communication, Guilt, Diversity - discussed the rising trend of people dying by suicide and emphasized the importance of direct communication about the topic.
Sensitive Language in Mental Health Discussions - discussed the importance of using sensitive language when discussing suicide, emphasizing the need to remove the stigma and shame often associated with it.
Suicide Prevention Dialogue: A Sensitive Discussion - The conversation touched on the grief experienced by survivors, the expectations of control in the face of such tragedies, and the various responses to suicide in different communities.
Health Discussion: Addressing Underlying Issues - discussed the importance of addressing underlying issues causing symptoms of distress, such as suicidal thoughts, rather than focusing solely on the symptoms themselves.
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Read Supplementary Blog Post: Navigating the Grieving Process
Check out our blog for more tips on becoming a better version of yourself or to learn more about us: 
Follow our journey on Instagram: @chasingbrighter
We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
Thanks for listening!!!

Chasing Brighter Book Club: 4,000 Weeks By Oliver Burkeman

Time is a precious resource that we all have in limited supply. How we choose to manage and utilize our time can greatly impact the quality and fulfillment of our lives. In this episode we discuss Chasing Brighter’s August 2023 book pick: “4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” by Oliver Burkeman. Rather than offering traditional productivity tips, Burkeman explores a more philosophical approach to time management, encouraging readers to focus on what truly matters and make the most of their finite time on Earth. Burkeman’s book challenges the conventional notion of time management by encouraging readers to embrace their limitations and focus on what truly brings meaning to their lives. 
In this episode we tackle key topics covered in the book that we loved:
Embracing Finitude
The Joy of Missing Out (JOMO)
'Settling' is a good thing
Quality over quantity
Mindful Living
Setting Boundaries
“4000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals” challenges conventional notions of time management and encourages readers to embrace a more thoughtful and intentional approach to their lives. By focusing on meaningful experiences, setting boundaries, and appreciating the present moment, we can make the most of our finite time on Earth. This book serves as a reminder to shift our perspective and prioritize what truly matters in the grand scheme of things.
 
As busy moms and business owners, we love LISTENING to books on the go. Which is why we LOVE Audible! Chasing Brighter Listeners can enjoy a free 30-day Trial. 
 
Subscribe to our podcast: https://chasingbrighter.com/podcast/
Check out our blog for more tips on becoming a better version of yourself or to learn more about us:  https://chasingbrighter.com
Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/
We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
Thanks for listening!!!

Let’s Get Organized with Natalie from The Organized Aesthetic

We talked with Natalie, founder and owner of The Organized Aesthetic. Natalie offers organizing and productivity coaching services. She has a natural organizer mindset and has made it her mission to help busy women tackle the projects in home and life that have them feeling overwhelmed.
Do you want to get better about organizing your home?  Have you struggled with feeling overwhelmed and not knowing where to start?  Have you ever heard of “putting your house to bed”? Do you know about Amazon’s Give Back box?  We tackled these questions and more… 
How do we get started with organizing?
Tackling productivity and mental systems
Setting up physical spaces & systems
Do -- Delegate -- Delete
Putting the house to bed
The Give Back Box!
Starting a business based on your passion!
Connect with Natalie from The Organized Aesthetic on Website | Instagram | Facebook
 
Subscribe to our podcast: https://chasingbrighter.com/podcast/
Check out our blog for more tips on becoming a better version of yourself or to learn more about us:  https://chasingbrighter.com
Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/
We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
Thanks for listening!!!

Tidying Up the KonMari Way with Amy from Spark Joy New York

Kelly and Jessica talk with Amy Chinitz, LCSW.  Amy is a certified KonMari consultant and the founder of Spark Joy New York. She has helped hundreds of clients to declutter their homes, while also helping them to cultivate a joyful, clutter-free future. Amy supports clients through the process of the KonMari method. The KonMari Method encourages people to get rid of items that no longer have a purpose (or no longer "spark joy") and keep items that are purposeful and meaningful. Amy has three master’s degrees, as well as, years of experience as an emotional care professional in both community social services and private practice settings. She helps facilitate ease, readiness, calm, and acceptance for clients who are going through transitional moments in life.
 
You can find more about Amy on her website here. 
Check out our blog for more tips on becoming a better version of yourself or to learn more about us:  https://chasingbrighter.com
Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/
We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
Thanks for listening!!!

Achieving Work-Life Harmony with Megan Sumrell, Time Management and Productivity Expert

Kelly and Jessica talk with Megan Sumrell who gives tips on how to take steps to improve your time management and reduce stress. Megan is a time management and productivity expert for women seeking Work+Life Harmony. She teaches specific strategies to help women get on top of their time, calendar and goals while getting rid of stress, overwhelm, and exhaustion.  
 
You can find Megan at her blog and podcast (Work Life Harmony) 
 
Check out our blog for more tips on becoming a better version of yourself or to learn more about us:  https://chasingbrighter.com
Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/
We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
Thanks for listening!!!

Season 2 Kick Off

Kelly and Jessica talk about their summer and give a sneak peek into Season 2 of the Chasing Brighter Podcast. 
Check out our blog for more tips on becoming a better version of yourself or to learn more about us:  https://chasingbrighter.com
Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/
We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
Thanks for listening!!!
 

Best Book of Season 1: The Good Life

Kelly and Jessica choose their favorite book from Season 1 Book Club. In “The Good Life,” authors, Waldinger and Schulz share lessons we can learn from the world's longest longitudinal study about what makes us happy and what’s important.
 
Check out our blog for more tips on becoming a better version of yourself or to learn more about us:  https://chasingbrighter.com
Follow our journey on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chasingbrighter/
We encourage you to keep chasing the brighter version of you!!
Thanks for listening!!!