Tendrils of Grief
In this heartfelt episode of Tendrils of Grief, we welcome Jennifer Schrappe — a seasoned therapist, ordained pastor, and compassionate guide for those navigating emotional pain. With two decades of experience, Jennifer leads Chrysalis Enterprises, a private counseling practice based in Columbus, Ohio, where she walks alongside individuals in their journey toward hope, healing, and personal freedom. Jennifer brings a deep spiritual and therapeutic perspective to the conversation, combining her roles as a counselor, pastor in the Church of the Nazarene, and devoted wife and mother of three....
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In this deeply moving episode of Tendrils of Grief, we welcome Kristina, whose life was forever changed at the age of 13 when her brother Jay made an eerily accurate prediction about his own death. Just days later, he was tragically killed in a bike accident—hit by the green car he had foreseen. Jay’s sudden death sent Kristina down a harrowing path of addiction, rebellion, and searching. Haunted by the question of how he knew, Kristina eventually embarked on a decades-long journey to find meaning and healing in the aftermath of unimaginable loss. Now an author and truth-seeker, Kristina...
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Susan, your host, welcomes Justine Lette to today’s episode. Justine is an internationally recognized hypnotherapy trainer, owner of Hypnosis New Zealand, and creator of the Golden Thread Trauma Transformation Protocol. Justine is an expert in using hypnotherapy to help clients overcome grief, anxiety, depression, and PTSD. As a Professional Member of The International Association of Counselling and The Australia and New Zealand Mental Health Association, Justine runs a successful clinic in Rotorua and via Zoom, where she specializes in using trauma-informed hypnotherapy to help clients...
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In this touching episode of Tendrils of Grief, we sit down with Molly, founder of Birthdays from Beyond, to explore the healing power of preserving love and memories in the face of loss. When Molly’s father was diagnosed with cancer, she was struck by the painful realization that he wouldn't be there to celebrate future birthdays with her. Wanting to hold onto his presence, she gave him a stack of blank cards and asked him to write birthday messages for the years to come. That beautiful and emotional gesture inspired her to create Birthdays from Beyond, a heartfelt way for people to stay...
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In this deep episode of Tendrils of Grief, I’m joined by Hannah Rumsey—writer, performer, and podcaster based in Chicago—whose journey through grief began with the sudden loss of her best friend, Lauren, in 2015. What began as a deeply personal experience of loss soon blossomed into a powerful mission to give voice to an often overlooked kind of grief: the loss of a close friend. From her one-woman show 42 Days of Summer to her memoir-in-progress L is for Lauren, Hannah has channeled her sorrow into storytelling that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced profound friendship...
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Today in Tendrils of Grief, host Susan welcomes guest Ted Neil, an author and advocate who shares his deeply personal and transformative journey through grief. Together, they explore the complex emotions of loss, the often-unspoken aspects of male grief, and the healing power of storytelling. Ted opens up about how writing helped him process the pain of losing loved ones and how grief has reshaped his perspective on life, purpose, and connection. This episode offers an honest and insightful look into how we carry grief, how it evolves over time, and how we can find meaning and hope even in the...
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In today’s episode of Tendrils of Grief, we welcome Julie Barth, a mother of six, trauma survivor, and tireless advocate for women facing life-altering adversity. Julie’s story is one of extraordinary resilience—navigating her daughter Tayt’s diagnosis with Primordial Dwarfism, her husband Colin’s heartbreaking battle with stage-four pancreatic cancer, and the deep wounds of emotional and financial abuse that followed. As the founder and CEO of The Colin James Barth Outreach, Julie has turned her personal grief and trauma into a beacon of hope for women-led households in crisis. Her...
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In this powerful episode of Tendrils of Grief, we welcome Lynn Lewis—Certified Grief Educator, speaker, author, and the visionary force behind Destined To Thrive Grief Coaching. After the devastating loss of her son in August 2019, Lynn made a courageous decision: not to be consumed by her grief, but to live fully in the aftermath. Lynn shares her deeply moving journey, including how embracing self-love has transformed the way she navigates grief. Her story, titled “I Choose to Live in the Aftermath,” is a testament to resilience, healing, and the daily choice to keep moving forward....
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In this heartfelt episode of Tendrils of Grief, we welcome Jillene Gallatin, whose journey through grief began at the tender age of 14 when she lost her mother to suicide. At a time when grief resources were scarce—especially for teenagers—Jillene was left to navigate unimaginable loss on her own. That life-altering experience became the catalyst for her lifelong dedication to grief advocacy and mental wellness. Now an ordained pastor in the ELCA since 2001, Jillene brings deep spiritual insight and compassion to her work as a certified 300-hour yoga teacher specializing in Grief Yoga and...
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This week on Tendrils of Grief, we're joined by Jill Vyn, a Master Adult Chair Coach and compassionate empowerment guide for high-achieving women, professionals, and entrepreneurs. With a background as the co-founder and co-director of a nonprofit, Jill brings both heart and experience to her transformative coaching work. Jill’s journey is deeply rooted in personal grief—losing her father at just six years old left her carrying a silent belief that she was unworthy of love. It wasn't until later in life, through energy healing and self-discovery, that she began to unravel that identity...
info_outlineIn this episode we welcome Jennifer ‘Suki’ Otsuki, an Austin native whose journey has been shaped by resilience, healing, and a deep connection to service. After dedicating nearly two decades to the restaurant industry in Dallas following her graduation from the Texas Culinary Academy, Jennifer discovered the transformative power of yoga, cultivating a 20-year practice that would become her sanctuary through life's challenges.
Jennifer’s story is one of profound transformation. In 2020, she faced the closure of her passion project and restaurant, as well as the end of a 13-year engagement. These losses left her feeling buried under the weight of grief, which she only came to recognize during a women’s retreat. Through self-love, healing, and years of reclaiming a life worth living, Jennifer discovered the tools to navigate her journey. However, just as she began hosting retreats and sharing her gifts with others, she was struck by the sudden loss of her partner, sous chef, and best friend at the end of 2023.
Now, Jennifer channels her experiences and healing journey into guiding others through grief, healing, and connection. Whether it’s through her nourishing meals, her yoga flows, or the profound experiences of her retreats, Jennifer demonstrates that it is possible to create a life you don’t have to retreat from. She joins us today to share her story of perseverance, the lessons she’s learned from navigating grief, and how she’s helping others find the space to heal and grow.
Tune in for a conversation filled with hope, resilience, and the power of self-love and connection.
Episode Highlights
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Jennifer ‘Suki’ Otsuki yoga retreats
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Healing through grief and self-love
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Grief recovery through retreats
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Mind-body connection practices
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20-year yoga practice for healing
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Overcoming loss and finding purpose
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Transformative women’s retreats
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Navigating the dark night of the soul
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Somatic wisdom and daily practices
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Reclaiming life after profound loss
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Yoga for emotional healing
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Grief and healing through connection
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Nourishing the body and soul after loss
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Culinary and yoga retreat experiences
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Coping with the sudden loss of a spouse
Learn more about Jennifer
She will be hosting a 4-night retreat at the Retreat Ranch outside of Austin in Marble Falls, TX in May of 2025 (May 16-20): From Grief to Gratitude
-Somatic Bodywork/Somatic Writing
-Horse connection
-Nourishing meals
Jennifer “Suki” Otsuki is an Intuitive. Somatic Healer. Mindfulness Chef. Retreat Host. Yoga Enthusiast. Divine Feminine. Truth Seeker. Lover. Creator.
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