Grief and Rebirth: Finding the Joy in Life

A chronic diagnosis can feel like an unexpected detour, but it can also mark the beginning of a life rebuilt with profound purpose. When navigating chronic illness, finding hope and choosing self-advocacy can transform grief into a powerful gateway for healing and reinvention. In this episode, host Irene sits down with Brenda Snow, founder of Snow Companies and author of Diagnosed: The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient’s Journey. Brenda shares her deeply personal journey of living with multiple sclerosis for over three decades, revealing how she turned her own health crisis into a mission to elevate patient stories across the life sciences industry. Tune in to discover how embracing acceptance, community support, and intentional living can help you rewrite your narrative after a life-altering loss. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE: How Brenda Snow experienced early, transient symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS) and faced medical dismissal before receiving an accurate diagnosis at age 29. The crucial role of leaning into help from family, friends, and community when managing a chronic health condition. How multiple sclerosis impacts the central nervous system by damaging the myelin sheath and affecting signal transmission in the body. Navigating the complex emotional stages of guilt, anger, grief, and eventual acceptance following a life-altering diagnosis. Brenda's out-of-body near-death experience in the hospital and how it removed her fear of dying while giving her a renewed sense of purpose. How patient advocacy, storytelling, and philanthropy can serve as powerful tools for personal healing and reinvention. SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS BRENDA: Can you take us back to when your journey first began, what those early symptoms were like, and what happened in your life at that time? For those people who aren't familiar with MS, how does it develop in the body, and what brings it on? How did you think of yourself when this was happening, and did it reshape your sense of identity? Can you tell us about that out-of-body experience? How can grief become a gateway to healing, self-discovery, and rebirth? WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvILmaUYJvg&list=PL7judgDzhkAWmfyB5r5WgFD6ahombBvoh ➡️ 📖 Grab Brenda’s book, Diagnosed: The Essential Guide to Navigating the Patient’s Journey at https://amzn.to/3Uzmlt4 --- ✨ Grief & Rebirth: Healing Resources & Tools ✨ 🎧 Irene's Books (Including a Free Audiobook!) They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond. Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4w Get the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995 📚 Embrace Life’s Third Chapter Good to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5 🛍️ Healing & Self-Care Picks Curated books and essentials from Irene: https://www.amazon.com/shop/irenesweinberg 📚 Grief & Rebirth Bookshop Books by podcast guests for healing & wisdom: https://bookshop.org/shop/griefandrebirth 🎙️ Podcast & Community Inspiring stories of transformation on the Grief and Rebirth website: https://griefandrebirth.com 📱 Stay Connected Subscribe to Grief and Rebirth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSDru2EU1djRZaZxxFkMig?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenesweinberg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IreneSWeinberg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irenesweinberg 🎥 Irene’s Spiritual Awakening Story Watch how the podcast began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mJWKfg5PM 🎙️ Be a Podcast Guest Have a story or healing work to share? Apply Here: https://ireneweinberg.com/be-on-the-podcast/ 📰 Newsletter Get updates, tips, and new episodes by signing up to the Grief and Rebirth Substack: https://substack.com/@griefandrebirth 💖 Affiliate Disclaimer Some links may earn us a commission. We only share trusted, personally recommended resources.

When Brenda Snow was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 30 years ago, she had to grieve the life she thought she’d have before she could reimagine who she was meant to become. Now a leading patient advocate and best-selling author of Diagnosed, Brenda shares how living with MS led her to transform deep loss into purpose, build a groundbreaking healthcare agency, and discover that a diagnosis isn’t the end of your story; it’s the beginning of rebuilding with intention, resilience, and joy. --- ✨ Grief & Rebirth: Healing Resources & Tools ✨ 🎧 Irene's Books (Including a Free Audiobook!) They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond. Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4w Get the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995 📚 Embrace Life’s Third Chapter Good to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5 🛍️ Healing & Self-Care Picks Curated books and essentials from Irene: https://www.amazon.com/shop/irenesweinberg 📚 Grief & Rebirth Bookshop Books by podcast guests for healing & wisdom: https://bookshop.org/shop/griefandrebirth 🎙️ Podcast & Community Inspiring stories of transformation on the Grief and Rebirth website: https://griefandrebirth.com 📱 Stay Connected Subscribe to Grief and Rebirth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSDru2EU1djRZaZxxFkMig?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenesweinberg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IreneSWeinberg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irenesweinberg 🎥 Irene’s Spiritual Awakening Story Watch how the podcast began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mJWKfg5PM 🎙️ Be a Podcast Guest Have a story or healing work to share? Apply Here: https://ireneweinberg.com/be-on-the-podcast/ 📰 Newsletter Get updates, tips, and new episodes by signing up to the Grief and Rebirth Substack: https://substack.com/@griefandrebirth 💖 Affiliate Disclaimer Some links may earn us a commission. We only share trusted, personally recommended resources.

In this episode, host Irene Weinberg sits down with author, fine artist, and narrative repair advisor Christopher Wesley to explore his powerful journey of Healing Childhood Trauma. Christopher shares how surviving early abandonment, emotional abuse, and later losing his home in a California wildfire shaped his understanding of loss and self-trust. Through Anthrotonik, his story-driven healing system, he guides individuals to uncover hidden patterns of self-erasure and reclaim their authentic truth. He explains how creative outlets like painting and writing provide language for unspeakable pain when words aren't enough. Listeners will discover how to reframe heavy personal history as a catalyst for profound personal rebirth and joy. Christopher offers practical insights on shifting internal narratives so you can move from survival into true coherence. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE: How surviving early emotional abuse and familial abandonment shaped Christopher’s initial worldview and resilience. Christopher's life work as a "narrative repair advisor" and his "Anthrotonik" story-driven healing system. The personal impact of losing his home in the Eaton Fire and the passing of his mother just weeks later. Using music, writing, and fine art to process unspeakable emotions and find language for heartbreak. Christopher’s experience facilitating art classes for cancer patients and caregivers, teaching them to create without judgment. Understanding how grief is not just about losing people, but losing parts of ourselves, and how to hold grief and joy simultaneously. SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS CHRISTOPHER WESLEY: Can you tell us about your experience navigating the Eaton Fire in California and losing your home? What forms of healing did you pursue to recover from the severe psychological abuse you endured, and how did you begin to make peace with the pain surrounding your father's abuse? What truths from your own life found their way into your award-winning short story, Regret in Triptych, and what does the story explore about grief and regret? WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGg0H3NO34g&list=PL7judgDzhkAWmfyB5r5WgFD6ahombBvoh 🎁 Claim your FREE copy of Regret in Triptych: https://amzn.to/4g9l0Ap 🏆 Christopher's award-winning story on confronting grief, letting go, and healing regret. ✉️ Send Christopher an email directly at: [email protected] --- ✨ Grief & Rebirth: Healing Resources & Tools ✨ 🎧 Irene's Books (Including a Free Audiobook!) They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond. Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4w Get the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995 📚 Embrace Life’s Third Chapter Good to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5 🛍️ Healing & Self-Care Picks Curated books and essentials from Irene: https://www.amazon.com/shop/irenesweinberg 📚 Grief & Rebirth Bookshop Books by podcast guests for healing & wisdom: https://bookshop.org/shop/griefandrebirth 🎙️ Podcast & Community Inspiring stories of transformation on the Grief and Rebirth website: https://griefandrebirth.com 📱 Stay Connected Subscribe to Grief and Rebirth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSDru2EU1djRZaZxxFkMig?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenesweinberg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IreneSWeinberg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irenesweinberg 🎥 Irene’s Spiritual Awakening Story Watch how the podcast began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mJWKfg5PM 🎙️ Be a Podcast Guest Have a story or healing work to share? Apply Here: https://ireneweinberg.com/be-on-the-podcast/ 📰 Newsletter Get updates, tips, and new episodes by signing up to the Grief and Rebirth Substack: https://substack.com/@griefandrebirth 💖 Affiliate Disclaimer Some links may earn us a commission. We only share trusted, personally recommended resources.

After surviving childhood abandonment, a devastating wildfire, and the profound loss of his wife and mother, author and artist Christopher J. Wesley discovered that grief isn't just about losing the people we love; it's about losing pieces of ourselves. Tune in next on Grief and Rebirth as Christopher shares how creative expression and his story-driven Anthotonic system can help you uncover buried narrative patterns, heal invisible trauma, and rebuild a life rooted in truth and self-trust. --- ✨ Grief & Rebirth: Healing Resources & Tools ✨ 🎧 Irene's Books (Including a Free Audiobook!) They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond. Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4w Get the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995 📚 Embrace Life’s Third Chapter Good to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5 🛍️ Healing & Self-Care Picks Curated books and essentials from Irene: https://www.amazon.com/shop/irenesweinberg 📚 Grief & Rebirth Bookshop Books by podcast guests for healing & wisdom: https://bookshop.org/shop/griefandrebirth 🎙️ Podcast & Community Inspiring stories of transformation on the Grief and Rebirth website: https://griefandrebirth.com 📱 Stay Connected Subscribe to Grief and Rebirth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSDru2EU1djRZaZxxFkMig?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenesweinberg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IreneSWeinberg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irenesweinberg 🎥 Irene’s Spiritual Awakening Story Watch how the podcast began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mJWKfg5PM 🎙️ Be a Podcast Guest Have a story or healing work to share? Apply Here: https://ireneweinberg.com/be-on-the-podcast/ 📰 Newsletter Get updates, tips, and new episodes by signing up to the Grief and Rebirth Substack: https://substack.com/@griefandrebirth 💖 Affiliate Disclaimer Some links may earn us a commission. We only share trusted, personally recommended resources.

We are re-releasing this extraordinary conversation with ascension guide and intuitive healer Hillary Faye by popular demand! Due to the overwhelming response from listeners seeking deeper spiritual connection, trauma release, and guidance on understanding their soul purpose, we’ve brought back this transformative episode to help you access higher-dimensional support and unlock your innate healing potential. In this episode, host Irene Weinberg sits down with Hillary to explore how she transformed childhood trauma into a divine calling, channeled teachings from benevolent light beings, and experienced a life-changing spiritual awakening. IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE: How a pivotal moment at age 12 transformed Hillary’s understanding of identity and hardship Why adversities act as initiations that awaken soul purpose and inner strength How Hillary connects with guides, goddesses, and star beings like the Arcturians and Pleiadians to channel healing frequencies The astonishing full-body ascension of her dog, Miss Bobbles, and the profound awakening it catalyzed How to access higher-dimensional cosmic support during times of grief and transition SOME QUESTIONS IRENE ASKS HILLARY: What resources helped you heal after enduring adverse childhood trauma? How did your dog’s unexpected ascension change your spiritual path and teachings? How can people identify their unique soul gifts and purpose? How does cosmic support assist us through grief and personal rebirth? ▶️ WATCH ON YOUTUBE: Communicating with Angels, Arcturians, and the Pleiadians: Healing Beyond This World https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaG_6MObb6Q --- ✨ Grief & Rebirth: Healing Resources & Tools ✨ 🎧 Irene's Books (Including a Free Audiobook!) They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond. Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4w Get the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995 📚 Embrace Life’s Third Chapter Good to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5 🛍️ Healing & Self-Care Picks Curated books and essentials from Irene: https://www.amazon.com/shop/irenesweinberg 📚 Grief & Rebirth Bookshop Books by podcast guests for healing & wisdom: https://bookshop.org/shop/griefandrebirth 🎙️ Podcast & Community Inspiring stories of transformation on the Grief and Rebirth website: https://griefandrebirth.com 📱 Stay Connected Subscribe to Grief and Rebirth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSDru2EU1djRZaZxxFkMig?sub_confirmation=1 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenesweinberg Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IreneSWeinberg TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irenesweinberg 🎥 Irene’s Spiritual Awakening Story Watch how the podcast began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mJWKfg5PM 🎙️ Be a Podcast Guest Have a story or healing work to share? Apply Here: https://ireneweinberg.com/be-on-the-podcast/ 📰 Newsletter Get updates, tips, and new episodes by signing up to the Grief and Rebirth Substack: https://substack.com/@griefandrebirth 💖 Affiliate Disclaimer Some links may earn us a commission. We only share trusted, personally recommended resources.