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Grief transforms us in ways we never anticipate - sometimes leading us directly into our life's purpose. Lisa McFarland joins Chris to share her extraordinary journey through child loss and how she discovered unexpected meaning on the other side.

After losing her daughter Alexis to a rare genetic bone marrow disease, Lisa took an unusual path: she became a pediatric ICU nurse. This decision marked the beginning of a series of career transitions as she navigated raising her son Zachary, who lives with the same condition that took his sister's life. Through each pivot - from nursing to legal consulting to corporate leadership - Lisa was unconsciously searching for healing.

The conversation delves into what Lisa calls the "grief cloud" - that state where we shut down emotionally to avoid pain. She describes waking consistently at 3AM, finally realizing these moments weren't insomnia but opportunities when her defenses were down enough to hear her true self. These middle-of-the-night revelations eventually led her to make profound life changes, including leaving her marriage and corporate career.

Chris and Lisa explore particularly sensitive territory around medical mistakes and whether to pursue litigation after a loss. Their nuanced discussion offers valuable perspective for anyone facing similar difficult decisions. They share insights about differentiating between happiness (fleeting and situational) versus joy (a deeper, more sustainable state) and how proper self-care creates the foundation for authentic healing.

What makes this episode especially powerful is the connection between two people who've experienced similar profound losses but found different pathways forward. Their conversation demonstrates how sharing our grief stories creates space for others to feel less alone in theirs.

Whether you're navigating personal grief, supporting someone who is, or working professionally with grieving clients, this episode offers both practical wisdom and emotional resonance that will stay with you long after listening.

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Gratitude radiates throughout this season finale as we reflect on the unexpected journey that took a local grief and finances podcast to global impact. What began as a challenging undertaking has evolved into a meaningful platform connecting grieving individuals with resources and community they never knew existed.

The transformative power of mentorship takes center stage as I share the story of my own mentor Joe, who provided crucial guidance as a Black male in the financial industry. His wisdom continues through everyone he touched, including my work with clients in grief. This personal reflection connects beautifully with past guest Mike Jackson's mentorship philosophy, creating ripples that inspired others to become mentors themselves—a perfect example of how doing good returns multifold rewards.

We revisit the remarkable Coach Cindy, whose influence extends far beyond basketball courts. With every senior securing college scholarships and her team maintaining a 4.0 GPA average, Cindy demonstrates how dedicated mentorship shapes futures. Our spotlight helped fund a team trip to Washington DC, combining athletic competition with life-changing experiences.

The partnership with Modern Widows Club founder Carolyn Moore has transformed how I serve both widows and widowers, creating pathways for grief support before financial planning begins. Through one recent example, a military widow found the community guidance she desperately needed during acute grief.

From listeners who discovered they weren't alone to advisors enhancing their grief support skills, the podcast has created connections I never imagined possible. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting this journey.

Please note that this is a brief from a prior season and this is not the last podcast of the season.

Pass this episode on to friends, family, or colleagues who might benefit, and please support the show so we can continue making a difference. What mentor has shaped your journey, and how are you paying it forward?

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I was super excited for an inspiring chat with PreMed Student, Sophia Donovan. Sophia also happens to be my Goddaughter.

We talk about things like....
What makes sense financially...traveling abroad or staying stateside for an internship or residency?
What makes sense financially....attending an expensive top tier med school or a modest well established med school?
We also talk about finances applicable to any college student...budgets, how much to spend on what and how to save.

As Sophia aspires to attend med school, I am including her email address to help with any access she so deserves. sophia.l.donovan@gmail.com

Sophia, thank you for always inspiring me to be the best version of myself.

#medschool #premed #personalfinance #financialLiteracy #money #finance #financialplanning

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Ever wondered what separates those who merely survive trauma from those who transform it into a force for change? Carolyn Moore, founder of Modern Widows Club, returns to the podcast to introduce us to the concept of the "super survivor" – individuals who don't just overcome personal tragedy but return to create support systems for others walking similar paths.

Drawing from the groundbreaking research of Dr. Stephen Southwick (whose book "Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life's Greatest Challenges" enters its third edition this September), Carolyn shares her personal journey from struggling widow to recognized change agent. The transformation wasn't immediate or easy. Initially motivated simply by providing basic needs for her young daughters, Carolyn gradually discovered the profound impact widowhood had on every aspect of her life – physically, emotionally, financially, and spiritually. Her turning point came during an appearance on Oprah, when she was described as "a hero who didn't know it," prompting her to ask: what if I became the hero of my own story?

What makes Carolyn's work through Modern Widows Club so powerful is how it addresses the exact components of resilience she once lacked – role models who had navigated similar losses and spaces where widows can both give and receive support. The four-stage journey she describes (choosing life, reaching out, getting moving, and giving back) serves as a roadmap for anyone navigating grief. Her latest project, "Legendary Widows: Stories of Legacy," highlights twelve extraordinary women including Coretta Scott King and Eleanor Roosevelt, showcasing their remarkable accomplishments after losing their spouses – contributions that often go unrecognized in historical narratives.

Whether you're personally navigating loss or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers profound insights into how trauma can become a catalyst for positive change. As Carolyn reminds us, "A formidable woman is a terrible thing to waste," and recognizing someone as a super survivor might be the most powerful gift you can give them. The journey from surviving to thriving begins with understanding that resilience isn't just about enduring – it's about taking responsibility for writing the next chapter of your story.

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What happens when two financial planners who've experienced profound personal loss meet? They forge a friendship that transforms both their personal healing journeys and professional approaches to helping others through grief.

In this vulnerable and insightful conversation, host Chris Dale welcomes fellow financial planner Daniel Kopp, MA, MS, CFP®,MQFP® to share his remarkable journey from Air Force officer to specialist financial planner for widows and widowers. After becoming the primary caregiver for his first wife Sarah during her illness and eventual passing, Daniel navigated his own grief journey while completely rethinking his career path.

Daniel reveals how his experiences shaped his unique perspective on financial planning, particularly around risk management and healthcare costs. "Having gone through this personal experience and seeing what it would look like when I had to step away...what if I hadn't had the capacity financially? That could have been ruinous," Daniel explains, highlighting how personal tragedy fundamentally altered his professional outlook.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Daniel discusses his current work combining financial planning with financial therapy techniques. He's developing specialized interventions for grieving individuals who suddenly become their household's financial decision-maker while struggling with emotions like money avoidance. This innovative approach addresses both the practical financial challenges and the emotional barriers that can prevent effective financial management during grief.

Perhaps most powerful is the friendship that has developed between these two advisors who found each other through shared experience. They serve as accountability partners, offering candid feedback as they navigate both personal healing and professional growth. Their relationship demonstrates how grief, while isolating in many ways, can forge meaningful connections that enhance both life and work.

If you're navigating grief yourself or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers valuable insights into building resilience, finding purpose after loss, and creating the foundations that help weather life's most challenging storms. Connect with Daniel at wisestewardshipfp.com to learn more about his work with widows and widowers.

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What does the path from financial despair to freedom actually look like? In this deeply personal conversation, Certified Master Financial Coach Elizabeth Ramos reveals her remarkable journey from accumulating $300,000 in debt as a single mother to completely eliminating it—and now helping others do the same.

Despite being naturally gifted with money management from childhood (creating budgets at age eight!), Elizabeth found herself spiraling into massive debt after her divorce when trying to build a new life for her son. The emotional weight of this financial burden created feelings of shame, regret, and isolation that many listeners will recognize from their own experiences. "I was consumed with just regret, just loneliness, just shame," Elizabeth shares, describing the dark place where financial struggles led her.

The conversation explores not just the practical aspects of financial recovery but delves deeply into the emotional toll that money problems take on relationships, mental health, and self-image. Elizabeth articulates how financial stress creates relationship strain, parenting challenges, and even health problems—a cascade of consequences that extend far beyond bank statements and credit scores.

What sets this episode apart is Elizabeth's straightforward explanation of her three-step coaching process that helped her climb out of debt and now guides her clients: understanding money habits and personal history, establishing accountability, and creating concrete action plans. She emphasizes that financial recovery isn't just about spreadsheets—it's about restoring hope and envisioning a different future.

Whether you're facing overwhelming student loans, recovering from gambling debt, dealing with pandemic-related financial setbacks, or simply want to optimize your savings, Elizabeth's message offers both practical guidance and emotional reassurance. Her approach bridges the gap between crisis management and wealth-building, preparing clients for the next stage of their financial journey.

Ready to transform your relationship with money? Visit ElizabethRamos.coach to learn how financial coaching might be your first step toward true financial freedom.

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A child drowns every day in America. The silence that follows devastates families, communities, and changes lives forever. But what if these tragedies could be prevented?

Meet Heidi Burnett, founder of Swim Sprout and a woman on a profound mission to stop drowning before it happens. With drowning being the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and claiming 320,000 lives worldwide annually, Heidi's work isn't just teaching swimming—it's literally saving lives.

Heidi shares her remarkable journey from competitive swimmer to senior master instructor who's trained over 30 swimming instructors. Her scientifically-based methodology uses operant conditioning and reinforcement schedules to teach even infants as young as nine months old how to roll onto their backs and float—a skill that can mean the difference between life and death.

"I felt like he saw something in me that I probably hadn't seen in myself yet," Heidi reflects on her business growth, expanding from a solo operation to a team of 15 instructors across multiple states. Her story illuminates how passion combined with mentorship can transform both a business and countless lives.

The conversation takes a powerful turn when host Chris shares personal stories of his own children using their survival swimming skills, including a moment when his son fell into a pool fully clothed and executed his training perfectly. These aren't just swimming lessons—they're insurance against unimaginable grief.

Discover how Heidi's partnership with the Quentin Hunter Love Foundation is bringing swim lessons to underprivileged children and support to families who have experienced loss. Her work reminds us that while we cannot eliminate every danger, we can equip our children with the skills to survive them.

Ready to learn more about drowning prevention or find survival swimming lessons for your child? Visit SwimSprout.com and help ensure water remains a source of joy rather than tragedy for your family.

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Chris pulls back the curtain on his deeply personal grief journey in this powerful inaugural episode that sets the foundation for what listeners can expect from "Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris." With remarkable candor, Chris reveals how his life has been shaped by a series of profound losses—beginning with his mother's devastating cancer diagnosis in 1994, through years as her caregiver during her Alzheimer's battle, to losing both parents within months of each other in 2008.

Through raw storytelling, Chris walks us through the financial complexities that accompanied his grief, including managing nursing home costs of $5,000 monthly as a twenty-something, becoming his mother's power of attorney, and making critical end-of-life decisions. He doesn't shy away from the emotional toll these experiences took, describing his descent to "rock bottom" with anxiety and depression after compounding losses. Yet his journey takes a transformative turn through grief counseling, spiritual connection, and personal growth practices that helped him rebuild.

Perhaps most poignantly, Chris shares his most profound grief experience—losing one of his twin sons at birth in 2012—and how this became his family's first true experience with "life after grief" as they welcomed their surviving son Eli, followed by another son years later. Now a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and Certified Financial Transitionist®, Chris combines his personal grief journey with professional expertise to guide others through the financial maze that often accompanies loss. Whether you're navigating grief yourself or an advisor seeking to better serve clients in transition, subscribe to hear Chris's unique perspective on finding meaning, making sound financial decisions, and building a life after devastating loss.

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