209 Margie Odom
Stories that Empower
Margie's journey with emotional eating began as a child. She struggled getting that part of her life under control. Margie realized that we wasn't practicing self care. So, she embarked on a new journey to heal old wounds and build resilience. Margie knew she was moving in the right direction as her desire to eat food for comfort was lessening. She now shares this knowledge with her clients.
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208 Ashley Sweeney
Stories that Empower
Ashley was violently assaulted by a man that she loved. This ended the relationship. She locked the grief away into closets for a long time. Recently, she thought about what she should do with the time that's been gifted to her. So, Ashley confronted her long buried pain and gave herself permission to revisit the assault. She took the time and room to uncover her own hurt, although it was extremely painful. Ashley realized that she had been suffering from PTSD, but masked it with a sunny disposition.
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207 Irene O'Garden
Stories that Empower
When Irene was younger, she overate and had body image issues. She played with alternatives. Then, at the age of 62, Irene went on a wilderness journey, where she took risks. Those experiences provided her with tremendous healing. She realized that we have tremendous love for one another.
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206 Lynn McLaughlin
Stories that Empower
Lynn's daughter experienced debilitating anxiety. Lynn feels that we need to change the way that we view and approach mental illness, as it's currently fragmented, whereas we are whole beings. Today, she helps others tell their stories.
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205 Stephanie Raffelock
Stories that Empower
Stephanie was a troubled kid. She left home at 17, made it through 20s and decided to go back in her 30s to heal something that was left undone. Stephanie pursued her education. Her life story is all about second chances.
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204 Paul Corson
Stories that Empower
Paul had visionary experiences, where he felt the source of God's power. He felt, touched and was overwhelmed by a loving light, which he was in the embrace of a God like force. Paul's experiences were validated as credible.
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203 Kathy Pooler
Stories that Empower
Kathy experienced many challenges in her life, to include two emotionally abusive marriages, an alcoholic son and a life threatening cancer. She lived with guilt and shame. Kathy relied on her faith to get through each day and to climb out of the abyss.
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202 Michael Woodward
Stories that Empower
Michael's house was becoming a burden to him and his family. They were trying to hold onto this place. When they kicked out of their home (by their landlord), they chose not to view this as a tragic story, but rather as an exciting story. So, they went on an adventure and traveled as a family. This changed what they value as a family.
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201 Karen Noe
Stories that Empower
When Karen was going through a very difficult time in her life, she yelled at God. She asked "am I going to be OK?". Karen saw a light, which enveloped her and was spreading a message of peace. She empowers others to feel deceased loved ones.
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200 Connie Bombaci
Stories that Empower
Connie was diagnosed with a degenerative nerve disease. She was introduced to a pup that was neglected, abused, beaten and starved. Connie saw opportunities that were endless through his eyes. She realized that there were no boundaries to his love and hope. This gave Connie inspiration to try. She came to learn hope and not give up.
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When Michelle's first husband died unexpectedly at the age of 32, she was left caring for a 2 year old son by herself. The experience brought her to her knees. Michelle questioned everything and felt a loss of identity. She dug herself out of that dark place. Michelle shares these powerful nuggets of life wisdom:
- there's no timeline for grief
- be kind to yourself
- don't rush through it
- talk through your grief
- you will get through it
- leverage your faith system
- you will love again
- there's no limit on love
- the hole inside will eventually heal
- read books on grief
- join grief groups
Michelle Cox is the author of the multiple award-winning Henrietta and Inspector Howard series as well as “Novel Notes of Local Lore,” a weekly blog dedicated to Chicago’s forgotten residents. She suspects she may have once lived in the 1930s and, having yet to discover a handy time machine lying around, has resorted to writing about the era as a way of getting herself back there. Coincidentally, her books have been praised by Kirkus, Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Booklist and many others, so she might be on to something. Unbeknownst to most, Michelle hoards board games she doesn’t have time to play and is, not surprisingly, addicted to period dramas and big band music. Also marmalade.
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