From Loss to Light

On this episode you will listen to Shannon share her story of her loss to light, in particular her daughter Sara that had died in a car accident.  Shannon connects with the other side as she is an intuitive and was able to see and hear from her daughter Sara the night she died.  Shannon also found her light after she almost lost her own life and was on a ventilator for eight days and made a remarkable trip to Heaven and then returned to finish up here on earth.   
Shannon shares with us "It is not what happens to you it is about how you handle yourself, the choices you make, right and wrong, good and evil.  Heaven is home, and very indescribably wonderful."  She is currently residing in Iowa and writing a book "Listening to the Light" to describe her experience in Heaven.  She also has plan in the work entitled "Sara's Song".  

Our guest for episode 17 shares with us how he has found his light after the loss of his identity after the sell of his families 93 year business.  Doug shares amazing insight and advice for all of us to lean into for ANY life lessons.  Give this episode a listen through as we talk about so many aspects of loss and how light is found and perspectives we all take. 

LinkedIn profile: Douglas Burns is a fourth – generation Iowa journalist and the former long – time co – owner of the Carroll and Jefferson, Iowa newspapers. Burns is a regular contributor to La Prensa Iowa Spanish – language newspaper and Des Moines City View magazine. Burns, who lives in Carroll, Iowa, where he has overseen the newsrooms of his family’s newspapers, has written for Inside Washington Publishers in Washington, D.C., The Palm Beach Post in Florida and the Ames Tribune and Iowa Independent . Burns is also the business development director for Latino IQ, an organization that helps clients build connections in the Iowa’s growing Latino Community. Burns is a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative which features several prominent Iowa authors and journalists. He is an instructor at the Okoboji Writers Retreat each fall and is 2019 Carroll (Iowa) Citizen Of The Year. Burns is an alum of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Burns is also the founder of The Western Iowa Journalism Foundation.

In Episode 16 we chat with Stacey Powells on her breakdown to eventual author and how she has managed her struggles with great drive and empathy and humor towards others.  She is funny and shares so many "AHA" moments that many of us journey through. Her journey through life is interesting from the beginning as she shares her dad's career as "THE" Beverly Hills Pharmacist to her job at Paramount pictures and her untimely divorce to a benign cancer scare and so much more.   

She is a published writer and journalist since 1996, Stacey’s articles and news pieces have covered everything from parenting issues, local news, travel, and a hodgepodge of everything else. Her work has appeared in several magazines including Island’s and Divulge. Her book of personal essays, Empty Cupboards, launched on Amazon September 2022, reaching #1 in several categories. She co-edited and contributed to the newly released anthology, “We See You, We Hear You,” and she has been a featured guest on several podcasts. Her play Stirrups was a 2016 New York Theater Festival selection an continues to be produced nationwide. Stacey’s TV interview show, “Slightly Filtered,” is streamed on lpptv.us.

You can purchase her book Empty Cupboards on amazon by clicking the title name.  You can also purchase the We See You, We Hear You on Amazon.  You can also find any of the writing classes that Stacey chatted about here: Story Summit. They have paid and FREE online writing classes as well.  

***NOTE: we are using a new program and we had some connection/audio issues so we apologize if this episode seems a little broken in spots, but we portrayed all our points the best we could!! Thank you for the patience and understanding. 

On this episode we sit down and chat with author Kelly Cervantes.  Kelly and her husband Miguel lost their little girl Adelaide to epilepsy.  The road from the beginning of her life to her young death has been nothing short of hard for this family.  They navigated the loss of their daughter the the crazy epidemic of covid that hit the world, to an unbelievable move to NYC for Miguels performance as Hamilton in the broadway play Hamilton.  They were navigating all this while raising their son and navigating loss.  What has been born out of something so tragic is a beautiful book written by Kelly called "Normal Broken" which has become a USA Today best seller.   Kelly also writes a blog called inch stones and shares very deep and heartfelt life stories of grief, loss, and living.  Kelly also works on the podcast "Cure Epilepsy" as she interviews other families in the epilepsy community.  Give Kelly a follow on any of the platforms we have listed and take a look at her book, she did a beautiful job talking about it in real terms that any parent can understand who has lost a child.  Congratulations also go out to her husband Miguel as he finished his 7.5 year career as Hamilton on broadway in the first week of January.  Give Kelly a follow to see what their journey looks like next and what impacts they are making in the grief community. 

Kelly's blog: www.InchstonesByKC.com

Kelly's podcast: https://www.cureepilepsy.org/seizing-life/

Kelly's book: www.NormalBroken.com

Cure Epilepsy: www.cureepilepsy.org

We were honored to have a special guest, Beth M. Howard on our podcast sharing her story of loss to light through the making of pie.  Yes, making pie has transformed into something I'm sure Beth never saw coming, but is running with it and thriving.  Beth M. Howard is an author, blogger, pie baker, TEDx speaker, world traveler, peace advocate, and an Iowa farm dweller.  
Beth has been featured on the History channel, CBS This Morning, MSNBC, LA Times, Hallmark channel , Real Simple magazine, Country Woman magazine, Country Living and SO much more.  

Beth M. Howard

https://theworldneedsmorepie.com/

Email  beth@theworldneedsmorepie.com
Facebook  The World Needs More Pie
(I post most often here.)
Twitter  worldneedspie
Instagram  TheWorldNeedsMorePie
Goodreads  Beth M. Howard
Pinterest  TheWorldNeedsMorePie

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gRkP9J7Vrg

https://bethmhoward.com/books/pie-memoir/

https://bethmhoward.com/books/

https://theworldneedsmorepie.com/pieowa/

Episode 13 is here and we are chatting with a special Loss Mom, Sarah Speichert.  Sarah and her family's young son Jack died from a brain tumor.  She tells us the story of how they found out he had a brain tumor, what the initial process and testing all entailed, their journey to St. Jude's Hospital in Memphis and their brave journey to bring Jack home for his final days.   

Sarah shares what they have done since starting their non-profit "Operation Super Jack".  Here are just a few things that have been accomplished: 

$25,000 to Children’s for the positive pressure room in the ER (in Omaha, NE)

$250 to every newly diagnosed family (100 families per year in NE )— supported 70 families so far in 2023

$7,000 to Grace for her battle (local Nebraska girl)

$1000 to a Lincoln family that was in need (Lincoln, NE)

$10 in each grab n go bag towards the Cafeteria (at Children's in Omaha, NE) 

They are on a mission to do MORE, grow MORE, and do bigger things come 2024!   Here are just a few fundraisers they are scheduled to do:

Save the Date: 

Golf Tournament, June 6th at Pacific Springs Golf Course in Omaha, NE
Current fundraiser until 12/31/23:

Need to clean up that vehicle? For only $10, with $6 of it coming back to OSJ (Operation Super Jack)!! Use the link to buy as many as you’d like. They send your washes directly to your phone for easy accessibility. And they are also good for one year from date of purchase at any location!
https://rocketcarwash.com/fundraiser/operation-super-jack/

To find out more about Operations Super Jack you can go to www.operationsuperjack.org, To find out more about St. Jude's Hospital: www.stjude.org, You can find them on socials at Facebook: Operation Super Jack and on Instagram: @operationsuperjack

In episode 12 we welcome our special guest Cathy Fox, Field Education Director for the Social Work Program at Creighton University. Cathy has a stealth knowledge of grief and loss.  Cathy has been a pillar within the Omaha, NE community with grief work and working in many areas building the guidance and knowledge of how to cope with loss in a persons life.   In this episode Cathy shares so many tips on how to navigate one of the harder seasons a griever may go through.  We talk all about the holiday season and Cathy gives us practical guidance to navigate the season. 

Angie has had a first hand account of the exceptional work Cathy gives as her and Cathy met at Ted E. Bear Hollow, a non-profit organization that works with children and families during loss.  This non-profit is now called "The Collective for Hope" and you are able to contact them if you are in the Omaha, NE area and see if there is an option that will fit your family at: https://www.thecollectiveforhope.org

Cathy also talked about the organization NACG (National Alliance for Children's Grief); which Cathy was just appointed as a new board member to.  She will start her role as a board member with the NACG on January 1, 2024!  Congratulations Cathy, we are proud of you!  This organization is an abundance of resource for children's grief, you can look them up and see what they all offer at: https://www.nacg.org

If you are looking for other mentoring options or resources, Cathy says feel free to reach out to her and she will see if she has the resources and information to guide you.  You can reach Cathy at: CathyFox@creighton.edu

We want to thank Cathy for being a part of our podcast and for sharing so many wonderful tips and advice for navigating this Holiday season (a lot of this can also be used every day throughout the entire year as we go through the hard dates and anniversaries).  Michelle & Angie are also holding space for ALL of you, our dedicated listeners in our hearts this holiday season.  If you feel there is anything we can guide you with, feel free to reach out to us directly via our socials or email us at: losstolightpodcast@gmail.com  If at anytime you have unwanted, harmful, or negative thoughts, please reach out to the appropriate resources that are able to help you in an emergency. 

To receive a 15% discount on Michelle's book to gift during the holiday, you can reach out to her at: @authormichellecowan and message her directly for the information to process that.   As always, you can reach Angie and her shop at: https://www.butterfliesandhalos.com and if you listen to the podcast you can use code: Podcast15 to receive 15% off your entire purchase.  Angie has many gifts such as ornaments, notebooks, notepads, and cards to share with a grieving friend. 

Cathy's favorite song that she references at the end "Good Grief" by Bastille https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EgunJrw2lrc

Episode 11 is a beautiful story of recovery with our guest Betts Blum Jones.  Betts shares a traumatic story of an injury she endured when a headstone fell on her legs.  She tells the scary details of the most freak accident that happened.  She goes into her recovery journey and then when the unthinkable happens within the year of her recovery.  Betts became a widow after her husband Rick was killed in an accident.  This story is nothing short of amazing when Betts tells us the story of organ donation.  

We recorded the episode on the anniversary day of Betts accident.  Her journey is nothing but miraculous and then her strength after becoming a widow is nothing short of resilient.  Betts honors her recovery through both events by having her faith on her side to lean into and her family from both sides to walk with her through this journey.   

Episode 10 is showcasing our guest Sue Roberts.  Sue shares the beautiful and loving story of her daughter Heather.  Heather died November 8, 2016 after being diagnosed with a brain tumor; Heather lived and fought with such dignity.  Jon & Sue Roberts have created a lasting legacy in Heather's honor by creating an organization called "Leap for a Cure".  Leap for a Cure is a grassroots organization in Omaha, NE that has funded many tools for people with brain injuries whether it's been a brain tumor or from an injury with the help of Methodist Hospitals Foundation.  Check them out at https://www.facebook.com/LeapForACure4BrainCancer

The Robert's family "live" by never forgetting Heather's memory, they have not moved on; they have learned to make each day count as they live for Heather's honor.  They live by sharing all the funny stories of Heather and live for the HOPE that we are given each day.  Today we honor Heather as we release this episode on her "Death Anniversary" after her passing 7 years ago today.  

***TRIGGER WARNING - THE TALK OF SEXUAL ASSAULT & SUICIDE ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE***

Welcome to our 9th episode with the Wenday Cooper from Iowa!  In this episode Wenday dives into her spiritual journey, her drive to receive a couple very important degrees in life, a relapse, and her eventual sobriety and where she is at today.  Wenday is truly an inspiration to all she meets and shares so much insight into her soul and her mission of surviving this life she has been given. We should all reach into our souls and see where we are at and how we can give grace like the strong and amazing Wenday does. 

Wenday shared on this episode the book that really helped her through the journey; The Magdalene Diaries (Illustrated Deluxe Edition): Inspired by the readings of Edgar Cayce, Mary Magdalene's account of her time with Jesus

by Robert J. Grant , James M. Hart, et al. | Sep 29, 2017; you can find this book on Amazon. 

Wenday owns her own boutique in Council Bluffs called "Wendays Kitchen Boutique"; you can find her here at: wendayskitchenboutique.com or on Instagram: Wenday's Kitchen Boutique.  She also has her own YouTube channel: Wildflowers & Honey. If you have questions or anything you can reach Wenday at Email:Wenday.cooper@gmail.com

***TRIGGER WARNING - THE TALK OF SEXUAL ASSAULT & SUICIDE ARE DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE***

Welcome to our 8th episode with the amazing Wenday Cooper from Iowa!  She is going to share her loss to light from sexual assault as a young child to journey through a suicide of her abuser and finding her light after years and years of addiction and relapses.  Wenday is truly an inspiration to all she meets and shares so much insight into her soul and her mission of surviving this life she has been given. This episode will keep you on the edge of your seat as you listen to the wave of emotions she portrays. Wenday will have a two part series as her story is so tragic, but inspiring too so many.  She is a counselor now and has a lot of knowledge and schooling into human services. 

Wenday owns her own boutique in Council Bluffs called "Wendays Kitchen Boutique"; you can find her here at: wendayskitchenboutique.com or on Instagram: Wenday's Kitchen Boutique.  She also has her own YouTube channel: Wildflowers & Honey. If you have questions or anything you can reach Wenday at Email:Wenday.cooper@gmail.com

***WARNING - THE TOPIC OF SUICIDE IS DISCUSSED IN THIS EPISODE IN DEPTH***
As a reminder Angie & Michelle are not therapists, but simply are having the discussions of loss in many forms.  If anything is triggered by listening to an episode, please reach out to the appropriate channels regarding the specific discussion.  Our main goal is to have an open discussion regarding loss to light however that looks for so many in our community.

Episode 7 is showcasing our guest Carrie England.  She has been been sober and drug free since 1999!   That in itself is something I want to hear about!  Carrie takes on the journey of how her addiction affected her life and shares the tragic story of her beloved dad to suicide.  Carrie gives us simple, but loving tips on how to cope through the many challenges life presents to us.  She has loved and she continues to share love & pure joy to all she meets.  We are so glad she gave us the time to be on our podcast and share her story of Loss to Light. 

If you know of someone going through addiction, have them listen to this podcast and see if anything resonates with them.  Listen how she shares what being honest looks like and working through the pain; sharing that there's nothing a drink will fix and it will just delay the pain.  

In this Episode, we chat with Samantha Cooper as she dives in and tells us about the 3 awakenings in her life.  She starts her story by telling us the story of her family life growing up, but realizing what she was experiencing at age 40 surrounding her parents. She speaks eloquently about her realizations and will shed light into so many emotions many of us have had and helps guide us through emotions we also may be having or have had.  She tells us about her 2nd awakening with the divorce of her husband after learning of his affair.  Her 3rd awakening happens as she  found her spirituality.  This was exactly what she needed to move through her journey in life and now learning to channel spirits.  Listening to her awakenings will definitely teach you things you may not even have known was happening to you in life. She will also give you tips on how you can dive into your own spiritual awakenings. Find her while clicking on any of her links below.

Website: www.drcooperandco.com

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bA3gKZo5KQPmZjc1waCbr?si=9a8d350e2897464e

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drcooperandco/

My substack (short stories): https://samanthatcooper.substack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drcooperandco/

***TRIGGER WARNING*** On this episode we dive into PTSD and self care, what that all means.  We do talk about suicide in this episode.  Michelle talks about her eye issues and what that means and some other recent losses that she has experienced and how it has triggered her.   Angie chats about how we are all "better together" and how we can move through our journeys together.  We talk about the tools we use and how we even make this podcast!   This is a short episode for a quick check in with everyone and seeing how you like our podcast so far!  This will be a step into some amazing guest episodes coming up for the remainder of the year!   

In this episode, we are introducing our beautiful friend Becky Nicks.  Becky and Angie were introduced back in 2009 when their worlds collided through widowhood.  Michelle also came into the widowhood world with us as we all met on a widow/widowhood online group.  Becky's story is full of love, sadness, and loneliness, but most of all a young widowed mom finding her light through a devastating loss of her husband who was a deputy sheriff in Omaha, Nebraska and was killed by a drunk driver while he was enjoying a moments passion on his motorcycle.   

We dive into Becky's story of raising 3 young children (and Ally being only 18 days old when death hit their lives), but Becky sharing her story of loss to light, finding love again, but finding that life happens and then ending the marriage with her second husband.  Becky has the strength of an Angel and is filled with grace.  This is a heartfelt story that you will walk away with choices of love and grace going forward in your own journey.   

In this episode, Todd Studer shares his story of childhood abandonment, learning to grow as a child feeling alone.  Todd, talks us through the therapy and the hard work he has had to do to find his light through his traumatic losses.  Todd shares how his divorce has left him not involved with his own children's life, but the love and hope he shares that one day things will be different for his family. Todd is a station manager and morning show host at Bluffs Country radio KXCB 106.5 out of Council Bluffs, IA.  Listen to how he went from a dark period of his life to where he is now living in the light that he has built his career and his life around.  

(Todd's studio is where where we record our From Loss to Light Podcast and Todd has been a huge force and guidance for us during these initial podcast recordings and is a big supporter of what we are doing)

In this episode, Angie Hanson native of Nebraska, shares her story of the death of her son Garret in June 2006, her husband Jack in February 2009, her brother Seth in April 2009; then her sister-n-law Brooke in 2018.  She shares how she navigated the grief journey while supporting and raising her young daughter Graci.  She walks us through tools she used to cope and the support she received during her losses.  Angie then goes on to share what she has created since finding the light through her losses and that is "grief" greeting card company.  Butterflies + Halo's was launched in June 2022 on Etsy.  She also uses her landing page for a blog on most topics regarding grief.  You can find Angie's etsy store here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/butterfliesandhalos and her blog at www.butterfliesandhalos.com.  Angie is on Instagram and Facebook @butterfliesandhalos.  Follow along on her journey of grief as she helps you navigate through loss and guides you on your own grief journey.  

Angie is "Co-Podcaster" with Michelle Cowan and they are on the mission to guide anyone going through losses to see the light.  You will hear amazing stories of resilience and hope.  

In this episode, Michelle Cowan native of Iowa, shares her story of the death of her first husband Joe in March 2009.  She shares how she navigated the grief journey with a teenager and gives us insight into what lead to try to pass the DRAM shop law in the state of Nebraska.  She reflects on how her journey lead her to grief groups and how she journaled through her grief which in turn led her to today where she is the Author of "Better Not Bitter": a journey from heartache to healing.  You can purchase this book on Amazon here.  Michelle also gives some great input on the after life and things she experienced. 

Michelle is "Co-Podcaster" with Angie Hanson and they are on the mission to guide anyone going through losses to see the light.  You will hear amazing stories of resilience and hope. 

You can find Michelle on FB @michellecowanauthor or her website: https://michllecowanauthor.com.  

Welcome to the "From Light to Loss Podcast".  This "trailer" will give you a glimpse into what you can expect from our podcast going forward.  We are SO glad you are here!