19 Days and Beyond: How Paul Meese Turned Grief into a Legacy of Kindness | Conversations with a Chiropractor
Conversations with a Chiropractor
Release Date: 11/19/2025
Beyond Pain to Purpose: Pastor Mike Walter on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Building PPIKids | Conversations with a Chiropractor
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Beyond Pain to Purpose: Pastor Mike Walter on Ankylosing Spondylitis and Building PPIKids | Conversations with a Chiropractor In this episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with local Marquette pastor Mike Walter for a conversation that moves from the most personal kind of struggle to the most practical kind of impact. Pastor Mike opens up about being diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis early in life, what it’s like to carry an “incurable” label into adulthood, and the daily choices that became non-negotiable as he worked to stay functional,...
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“Please Be Kind”: Life After 19 Days – Everyday Philanthropy, Second Chances, and Showing Up - Paul Meese 2 | Conversations with a Chiropractor
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“Please Be Kind”: Life After 19 Days – Everyday Philanthropy, Second Chances, and Showing Up - Paul Meese 2 | Conversations with a Chiropractor What does life look like after the hospital, after the funeral, after the book? In this follow-up episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier reconnects with Paul Meese, author of 19 Days: One Man’s Journey Through Grief, to talk about the next chapter: leaving his HR career, taking his family to Hawaii for Christmas, navigating the isolation of COVID, finding love again, and building a life that quietly runs on...
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19 Days and Beyond: How Paul Meese Turned Grief into a Legacy of Kindness | Conversations with a Chiropractor
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19 Days and Beyond: How Paul Meese Turned Grief into a Legacy of Kindness | Conversations with a Chiropractor What happens when the person you built your life with is gone in less than three weeks? In this deeply human episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier talks with Paul Meese, author of 19 Days: One Man’s Journey Through Grief, about the sudden loss of his wife Ruth, the chaos of hospital systems, and what grief actually looks like when you stop trying to be “strong” and start being honest. Paul walks through the 19 days from Ruth’s stroke to her...
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“You Are Welcome”: One Woman's Experience with Solo Travel, Food Adventures, and the Kindness of Strangers | Conversations with a Chiropractor
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Manifesting a Life You Love: Britta Carlson on Gratitude, Early Childhood Tools, and the Sharing Economy | Conversations with a Chiropractor
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The Power of Words: Dr. Stephanie Wautier on Healing, Self-Forgiveness, and Bouncing Back | Conversations with a Chiropractor (Crosspost with The Bouncing Back Podcast)
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From the Great Depression to 94 Years of Wisdom: Edna’s Story of Farm Life, Family, and Resilience | Conversations with a Chiropractor
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Strings, Stories, and Staying Humble: Troy Graham on Music, Family, and Faith | Conversations with a Chiropractor
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Strings, Stories, and Staying Humble: Troy Graham on Music, Family, and Faith | Conversations with a Chiropractor What does it look like to live a life shaped by music, faith, and community? In this heartfelt episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier sits down with Troy Graham, a beloved Marquette musician and storyteller, whose blend of folk, gospel, and original songwriting has touched hearts across the U.P. and beyond. Troy shares the story of his early musical beginnings, the struggles and triumphs along the way, and the importance of community in sustaining both...
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19 Days and Beyond: How Paul Meese Turned Grief into a Legacy of Kindness | Conversations with a Chiropractor
What happens when the person you built your life with is gone in less than three weeks?
In this deeply human episode of Conversations with a Chiropractor, Dr. Stephanie Wautier talks with Paul Meese, author of 19 Days: One Man’s Journey Through Grief, about the sudden loss of his wife Ruth, the chaos of hospital systems, and what grief actually looks like when you stop trying to be “strong” and start being honest.
Paul walks through the 19 days from Ruth’s stroke to her passing, the conversations no one wants to have with doctors, and why power of attorney, clear wishes, and real advocacy matter long before crisis hits. He also shares how anger, exhaustion, and loneliness eventually gave way to road trips, counseling, writing, and a choice to keep giving in Ruth’s name.
From scholarships for women in machining to senior dog rescue and donating airline miles so families can say goodbye in person, Paul shows how grief can grow into something active, grounded, and quietly powerful.
If you’ve lost someone, love someone, or know you’ll someday have to step into that advocate role, this conversation will stay with you.
🎧 In This Episode, Discover:
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How 19 days in the hospital changed everything for Paul and Ruth
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Why power of attorney, clear medical directives, and asking blunt questions can literally shape someone’s final days
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What grief really looked like for Paul in the first year, including anger at “normal problems” and walking away from his HR career
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How a solo back-roads road trip and a counselor’s suggestion turned into the book 19 Days: One Man’s Journey Through Grief
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How book sales now help fund scholarships in Ruth’s honor at Front Range Community College and Lakeland University
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Why Paul supports causes like Give A Mile and Albert’s Dog Lounge, and how small acts of generosity became part of his healing
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The simple phrase Paul carries forward from Ruth’s life and his own journey: “Please be kind.”
Stay Connected & Explore:
Learn More About Paul & 19 Days:
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Paul’s Website – 19 Days: One Man’s Journey Through Grief:
https://20daysandbeyond.com
Support Ruth’s Legacy:
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Ruth M. Meese Memorial Scholarship – Front Range Community College (info via Paul’s site):
https://20daysandbeyond.com/scholarship/ -
Paul M. Meese ’82 Music Endowed Scholarship – Lakeland University (gifts via Lakeland’s giving page):
https://lakeland.edu/give
PLEASE FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS TO GIVE DIRECTLY TO PAUL'S SCHOLARSHIP (on the linked page above) click the *GIVE NOW* button, fill out the information. for the *Please direct my gift to:* section be sure to select "Endowed/Specific Scholarship (Specify in Comments)", continue to fill out the information, and then at the bottom where you find the COMMENTS box, please specifiy the "Paul M. Meese ’82 Music Endowed Scholarship" as your chosen endowment/scholarship.
Organizations Paul Cares About:
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Give A Mile – Donate miles to help families see loved ones in critical or palliative care:
https://giveamile.org -
Albert’s Dog Lounge – Senior & special-needs dog rescue:
https://www.albertsdoglounge.org
Connect with Conversations with a Chiropractor:
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Follow Us on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/@ConversationswithaChiro -
Follow Dr. Stephanie on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/wautierwellness -
Email for Show-Related Inquiries and Sponsorships:
drstephaniewautier@yahoo.com
Credits:
Podcast production by Brand|Sound. Start your podcast journey by emailing brandsoundpodcasts@gmail.com.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Conversations with a Chiropractor
00:41 Meet Paul Meese: A Multifaceted Life
01:06 The Tragic Passing of Ruth
01:43 Medical Struggles and Advocacy
05:45 The Final Days and Power of Attorney
11:03 Navigating Grief and Retirement
19:18 A Love Story: From Neighbors to Life Partners
23:31 Ruth's Career and Legacy
25:36 Crafts and Playgroups in Delaware
25:55 Moving to California and Colorado
26:49 Ruth's Role in the Machining Program
28:40 Establishing a Scholarship in Ruth's Honor
29:43 Writing and Publishing the Book
31:22 Supporting Grieving Men
33:20 Charitable Contributions and Volunteering
47:43 Final Thoughts and Legacy