Grounded in Wisdom - "Out of the Rubble" Podcast

Join Annalyn Cruz as she has a heartfelt and open conversation with Kelli Kombat. Kelli is a Professional Career Coach (PCC) and certified DEI coach. She has had an expansive career, from HR at Ford Motor Company to Virginia radio personality. Kelli is the owner of R.I.C.H., LLC and is the host of the Career Kombat podcast.  In this episode, Kelli tells us how she met and married someone who transformed her vision of the future, and lost him suddenly only months after she learned she was pregnant. In that “rubble moment” of loss and deep depression, a single sentence in the book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” changed her life. Even though she wasn’t sure how at first, she got back up and discovered strength she never knew she had. Kelli shares more of her journey forward to find a life full of abundance and immense love. Be inspired and listen in on a touching discussion of surviving loss, shaping your life direction, and the choice to rise back up– no matter how hard we get pushed down.  Be sure to check out Kelli’s podcast Career Kombat, and visit kellicoach.com. You can contact her at [email protected].

Join Annalyn Cruz in a compelling conversation with Rachel Irvine-Halliday, a seasoned servant leader and DEI expert. With over 25 years of experience in crafting high-performing and inclusive teams, Rachel brings a wealth of insights focused on the employee experience, organizational culture, and team performance. In this episode, Rachel opens up about her personal "rubble moment" when burnout and workplace bullying led her to take a medical leave. During this period, she was diagnosed with ADHD and autism, a transformative journey that reshaped her approach to life. Rachel shares valuable insights into recognizing signs of burnout, the importance of therapy, effective time management, and the empowerment found in self-advocacy. Tune in to discover how Rachel's resilience and commitment to self-discovery have not only helped her cope with challenges, but also allowed for her to shift into living a more purposeful and flourishing life.  Grounded in Wisdom is proud to present this episode that offers valuable insights into building resilience, fostering inclusion, and finding empowerment in the face of adversity. Listen and be inspired to create positive change in your own life. Trigger Warning: Discussion of bullying at 9:45. Follow Rachel at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelih/

In the latest episode, Annalyn welcomes the multifaceted Jeff Scardina. Jeff's impressive career journey spans from starting out in the consulting space, and branching out to hone his craft in Talent & Learning development; he’s served as leader at Electronic Arts (EA), Taco Bell, to most recently at Calendly. However, it's not just the successes that shape a person, but the hurdles they've overcome. In 2008, when the world's economy crashed, Jeff faced one of his most challenging 'rubble moments.' He navigated the uncertainty and pain of unemployment during the financial crisis, and grappled with feelings of being adrift - both in his career and emotional world. This episode dives deep into that transformative period by uncovering how Jeff saw a way out of the rubble, realigned his career compass, and discovered a new profound purpose in life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that’s a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the magic that emerges when you stitch purpose into adversity. Jeff’s story is for anyone who's ever felt lost in life, and seeks a roadmap to find their way back. You can find Jeff on LinkedIn, and Instagram @mindofjeff.

Annalyn Cruz sits down with the inspiring Zenisha Gibson–a coach, consultant, and true beacon of resilience. Zenisha's life story reads like chapters of triumph over multiple "rubble seasons," marked by job losses, heart-wrenching accidents, and deep personal tragedies. Drawing strength from her past, including the harrowing experience of losing her brother and witnessing her grandmother's grief, Zenisha shares how she transformed her pain into power. In their conversation, Zenisha opens up about her journey, reminding listeners that life's trials aren't just events to passively endure - they're lessons to actively grow from. Reflecting on her "rubble seasons," she emphasizes the importance of showing up in a way that honors our life and the lives of those we've lost. This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of perspective, and the beauty of turning pain into purpose. It's a compelling reminder that we don't just go through life's challenges, we grow through them. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that will inspire, uplift, and ignite a passion for honoring the journey of life. Find Zenisha on LinkedIn or on Instagram! Resource discussed on this episode: Daily Piece Affirmations (Written by Jenilee De La Fuente, Illustrated by Necole Gayanan)

Join Annalyn Cruz in a heartfelt conversation with the remarkable Heather Alaine, a true advocate of love, movement, and self-discovery. Heather's journey takes us through the highs and lows of her life, including her profound "rubble moment" marked by a heart-wrenching experience of infidelity and the healing that happens between mind, body, and soul. Heather's story is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we have the capacity to find our light. Tune in to be inspired by her incredible resilience, and learn how she emerged from the rubble of heartbreak to dance once more in the radiant light of self-acceptance and self-love. Learn more about Heather on website, https://www.heatheralaine.com/ or find her on IG at ready_heatheralaine and FB at heatheralaine.