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 (or barks) on the screen.

Today’s interview is with stone sculptor Molly Greist. Her work with stone began when digging up a massive stone in her yard felt like what she had to do after the sudden death of her 10 month old son in 1989. Today she talks eloquently about how working with stone taught her about life and death, led her to gratitude and became a beautiful metaphor for living with grief.

Bio and link to download the audio version are below. Running time is 37 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.

Molly Greist began carving stone in 1989, after the loss of her 10-month-old son, Peter, in an automobile accident. Her son’s name, Peter, means rock, and this connection proved to be of powerful significance in Molly’s journeying through grief and loss. Inspired by the stone work and devout faith of stone sculptor, James W. Washington Jr., Molly was drawn to carving stone for strength and healing. She began trusting her process, feeling that there was a force greater than her self working with her. With hammer in one hand and chisel in the other, Molly began chipping her way out of the pain and darkness of grief.

Find her at http://mollygreist.com/

P.S. Here’s a photo from walking the labyrinth that Molly drew.

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 writer and story coach Pema Teeter. I fell into Pema’s words two years ago as the 10th anniversary of 9/11 approached and she began her Memory to Light series. I’d known of her before then, but this series captured my heart and mind – I went back every day to read and nod and cry and smile at her words. Today she talks about 9/11, how a friend cracked her open and Memory to Light came pouring out and how healing happens in being held. Enjoy.

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 here to download the audio version.

Pema Teeter is a writer and story coach, and the creator of Talk Your Draft, Write Your Book, and Story Charming Parties. Both creations bring voice to a story, and volume to the experience of telling it: voice and volume, two elements that get submerged when a writer is tangled in a block; two elements that often dissipate when a writers journey pushes against grief. Pema believes that writing offers transformation, and when we collaborate to express ourselves, the change is collective.

Find her at StoryCharmer.com and PemaTeeter.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 heARTist, author and grief & creativity coach, Kara LC Jones, also known as Mother Henna. She is the co-creator of The Creative Grief Studio and The Creative Grief Coaching Certification program. She talks with us today about the stillbirths of her babies, a recent miscarriage, how creativity is intricately tied to grief and why she’s so excited about narrative therapy.

Bio and link to download the audio version are below. Running time is just over 41 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.

Kara LC Jones is one of the co-creators and educators at the Creative Grief Studio where she offers a 4-month certification course in partnership with Cath Duncan of Remembering For Good. The course is hosted each year in September and February, and all our sessions round up to be international, inter-disciplinary experiences! For more about the course or to apply to join the next session, see GriefCoachingCertification.com and for more about Kara see MotherHenna.com.

P.S. The next round of Shine begins August 26th. Explore simple practices now that will help you navigate the fall (and the holiday season) with more ease, acceptance and radiance. Listen to your inner wisdom. Claim your truth. Shine.

 

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 photographer, writer and mentor Catherine Just. I’ve been a fan of her photos for a while now and when I finally read about her background, I knew she was perfect for this series. Today she speaks about how far she’s come from her teenage drug and alcohol addiction, her time studying with spiritual teacher Don Miguel Ruiz, and how photography allows her to see her version of God. She also talks about parenting the light of her life, her son Max, who happens to have Down’s Syndrome.

Bio and link to download the audio version are below. Running time is just over 34 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.

Catherine Just is a photographer, spiritual teacher & coach, and proud mama to Max, her daily nap-partner & light of her life. Her work has been praised & recognized around the world, appearing on the cover of National Geographic Magazine & on Oprah.com. Her writing has been featured in dozens of online magazines & blogs, and she has shown her personal work in galleries around the country.

As a spiritual seeker, she had the privilege of working with the legendary don Miguel Ruiz, Toltec Teacher and author of The Four Agreements. Her work with don Miguel filled her life with mystery, ritual & relentless curiosity.

Catherine is on a quest to fill the world with spirited, creative, resilient & Fear*Less women. She writes, speaks, makes art, mentors, and leads courses, retreats & virtual summits to propel The Fear*Less Movement forward.

To find out more about her and her work, visit CatherineJust.com.