Welcome to Transformation Talk. Every Thursday for a year, starting in September 2012, I’ll post an interview with someone who is a force for good in the world. These men and women have either deepened their passion or found their calling after experiencing a loss, trauma or diagnosis.

I want to broaden the conversation around grief and its transformative power. My hope is that in their words you’ll find echoes of your story. In their inspired actions, you’ll see yourself and your immense possibility.

*Special Request: The technology of Skype is amazing and imperfect. Please listen with your heart and forgive the occasional blips on the screen.

Today’s interview is with social worker, teacher and coach Cath Duncan. She is the co-founder of the Creative Grief Coaching Studio and the Creative Grief Coaching Certification program. The focus of her work changed after the stillbirth of her daughter, Juggernaut, in 2010. This is my longest interview to date and it’s so worth listening to. Cath’s compassion and wisdom shine as she talks eloquently about the many different facets of grief, and brings a difficult (and taboo) subject into the conversation.

Bio and link to download the audio version are below. Running time is 45 minutes. If you’re receiving this via email, click through the title to view the video.


Right-click or Control-click and choose Save Link As to download audio version.

Cath Duncan is a Social Worker, Neuro-linguistic Psychology Master Practitioner and Martha Beck Certified Coach with a background in Child Protection, Trauma Debriefing and counseling for Depression. She is currently working on a Social Work Masters research thesis on the relationships between grief, guilt and shame, and has started writing her book, “Shameless Grief.” She co-founded the Creative Grief Coaching Studio and certification program with Kara LC Jones, and with Vicki Culling, she co-created the website When Your Baby Dies. Cath is also the author of the Grief Workbook, Remembering For Good.

Welcome to Transformation Talk. Every Thursday for a year, starting in September 2012, I’ll post an interview with someone who is a force for good in the world. These men and women have either deepened their passion or found their calling after experiencing a loss, trauma or diagnosis.

I want to broaden the conversation around grief and its transformative power. My hope is that in their words you’ll find echoes of your story. In their inspired actions, you’ll see yourself and your immense possibility.

*Special Request: The technology of Skype is amazing and imperfect. Please listen with your heart and forgive the occasional blips on the screen.

This week’s interview is with spiritual teacher and my long-time friend Kiran, Mystic Girl in the City. We went to theater school together twenty years ago and have been in and out of each other’s lives since. A decade ago, Kiran had a spontaneous awakening (like Eckhart Tolle, Byron Katie and many other spiritual teachers). She shares candidly about the experience, and what life looks like now.

Bio and link to download the audio version are below. Running time is just over 40 minutes. If you’re receiving this via email, click through the title to view the video.

Right-click or Control-click and choose Save Link As to download audio version.

At the age of 33, Kiran had a massive, spontaneous awakening. Suddenly life became very different. Outside of the monastery or ashram or any “spiritual” practice, Kiran found that peace and freedom was available in every instant of our life. Kiran teaches and speaks from first hand experience and has a number of very modern, direct and practical approaches to living beyond enlightenment, living freedom now.

Find her at MysticGirlInTheCity.com

Welcome to Transformation Talk. Every Thursday for a year, starting in September 2012, I’ll post an interview with someone who is a force for good in the world. These men and women have either deepened their passion or found their calling after experiencing a loss, trauma or diagnosis.

I want to broaden the conversation around grief and its transformative power. My hope is that in their words you’ll find echoes of your story. In their inspired actions, you’ll see yourself and your immense possibility.

*Special Request: The technology of Skype is amazing and imperfect. Please listen with your heart and forgive the occasional blips on the screen.

Today’s interview is with life coach and modern day priestess Jessica Colp. She is also the co-founder of Earth School, a space for community, connection and consciousness. Jessica talks about two different experiences she had where life as she knew it fell apart, and how they paved the way for the beauty she experiences now.

Bio and link to download the audio version are below. Running time is just over 28 minutes. If you’re receiving this via email, click through the title to view the video.

Right-click or Control-click here to download the audio version.

Jessica Colp, Life Coach and Modern Day Priestess, helps people wake up, listen to their intuition, and be who they came to Earth to be. Co-creatrix of Earth School, a cyber school of consciousness, Jessica loves teaching classes on spiritual skills and consciousness – the stuff you weren’t taught in school, that you really do need to know for your earth ride!   Jessica is a big enthusiast of community and connection, an avid reader, and a tree-hugger. She publishes regular blog posts at www.jessicacolp.com and enjoys coaching clients in all four U.S. time zones. Follow her on Twitter and friend her on Facebook – she’s always happy to grow her high-vibe tribe!

P.S. It’s the last day to register for Jessica’s prayer class, which starts tomorrow, May 10. Check it out here!

Welcome to Transformation Talk. Every Thursday for a year, starting in September 2012, I’ll post an interview with someone who is a force for good in the world. These men and women have either deepened their passion or found their calling after experiencing a loss, trauma or diagnosis.

I want to broaden the conversation around grief and its transformative power. My hope is that in their words you’ll find echoes of your story. In their inspired actions, you’ll see yourself and your immense possibility.

*Special Request: The technology of Skype is amazing and imperfect. Please listen with your heart and forgive the occasional blips on the screen.

Today’s interview is with Desiree Adaway of The Adaway Group. She is a coach, consultant and mentor who focuses on global service and leadership. I’ve long been a fan of hers, and it was a huge pleasure to talk with her about her life, her passions and her penchant for being uncomfortable.

Bio and link to download the audio version are below. Running time is 36 minutes. If you’re receiving this via email, click through the title to view the video.

Right-click or Control-click here to download the audio version.

Here is Desiree in her own words. Find her at DesireeAdaway.com

I love to challenge and help others experience success.

I am a strong, strategic business professional with the breadth and depth of having worked with organizations of all sizes in various phases of transition. I bring my clients insights and expertise from having served in senior-level roles in the nonprofit and grant management sectors for such renowned organizations as Habitat for Humanity International, where I was the Senior Director of Volunteer Mobilization, and Rotary International, where I was the director of their largest Humanitarian Grants program.                                                                                                                                              

I identify the dangers, weigh their impact, and then place my feet deliberately—and stay by your side every step of the way.

I thrive at partnering with talented leaders to successfully navigate through integrations, reorganizations, through all stages of organizational evolution. My industry expertise also includes fundraising, grant management, environmental, social justice, and faith based initiatives.

I break bottlenecks.

I am especially skilled at helping organizations achieve more consistent, quality program results at both the chapter, national and international levels.  I have designed and/ or administered more than 150 global programs to engage 500,000 people into action directly and almost 1 million indirectly through creation of global strategy. I have crafted and administered partnerships that have secured over $10.5 million in funding from a variety of private and corporate resources. You need both sides of your brain–right and left – to create work of depth and meaning.  I bring you both.

I create clear narratives that showcase data and story.

I believe that success for nonprofit, small businesses or individuals  is not possible without taking risks and innovating. When we “go for broke” and learn to fail graciously, we open up opportunities for shared learning. We create a culture that encourages creativity and calculated risk taking. We energize each other. Fearless is not reckless, and I will never let you forget that.