353.Discovery through Grief with Michelle Swanson
Release Date: 06/06/2025
353.Discovery through Grief with Michelle Swanson
Women at Halftime Podcast
Life has a way of leading us down paths we never expected—sometimes through joy, but often through deep loss. An unexpected event can open doors to purpose, not only helping others but also shaping our own journey in ways we never imagined. This was the case for Michelle Swanson, who, after losing her husband to colorectal cancer, found herself committed to raising awareness and ensuring that no one has to face a diagnosis alone. Today, we’re diving into the lessons and discoveries that come through grief, exploring how we can gain perspective, find purpose, and better prepare for the...
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352.Pyramid of Value with Deborah Johnson
Women at Halftime Podcast
By mid-career or halftime in life, there’s often more freedom to pursue personal passions, creativity, and legacy-building work. These roles align with deeper missions and artistic expression, offering fulfillment beyond financial necessity. Maslow’s pyramid of value, dating back to the 1940’s, outlines five levels of human motivation, starting with basic physiological needs and progressing toward self-actualization. A 2025 article expanded on these needs, applying them to career choices. As our skills and experiences grow, we naturally move higher on the pyramid, giving us more career...
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351.Crushing Debt for Independence with Bill Westrom
Women at Halftime Podcast
Debt can feel like a never-ending trap, especially with rising inflation and maxed-out credit cards draining financial freedom. Many find themselves stuck in a cycle of high interest rates, minimum payments, and growing stress. But breaking free is possible. In this episode, we’ll explore practical strategies for crushing debt with cofounder and CEO of TruthinEquity Bill Westrom. He is the mind behind Credit Line Banking, a revolutionary financial strategy designed to help American consumers regain control over finances, and build true independence. Whether you're overwhelmed by credit card...
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350.Perfectly Imperfect Freedom in Flaws with Deborah Johnson
Women at Halftime Podcast
Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into something we all wrestle with—imperfection. Here’s the truth: it’s perfectly okay to be imperfect—perfectly imperfect, in fact! There’s such freedom in that phrase. While we absolutely aim to show up prepared, polished, and doing our best, life has a way of tossing in surprises, missteps, and messy moments. And guess what? That’s not failure—it’s just real life. No matter how many planners you buy or how many inspirational quotes you tape to your mirror, something’s always just slightly off—and that’s okay. So today,...
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349.Leaning In to Challenges with Lonnie Park
Women at Halftime Podcast
Pursuing a career in the arts or music is a journey filled with passion, creativity, and, often, immense challenges. It can feel like you’re constantly pushing against a wall, struggling to be seen, heard, or valued in a crowded industry. The road to success is rarely a straight path—rejections, self-doubt, and setbacks can make even the most talented artists question whether to keep going. This happened to my friend Lonnie Park, now a Multi-Grammy® award winner. By leaning in to insurmountable challenges rather than retreating from them after being catapulted over the top of a quad...
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348.Smart Life Investments with Greg and Deb
Women at Halftime Podcast
Welcome to today’s episode, where we’re diving into one of the most meaningful investments you’ll ever make—and spoiler alert, it’s not in the stock market. It’s in people, purpose, and the kind of possibilities that outlast trends and time. Whether you're building a legacy through your family, pouring into a cause you care about, or simply wanting to steward your time and energy more wisely, smart investing goes way beyond dollars and cents. It’s about placing value where it truly counts. So grab your coffee, tea, or just listening ears and let’s talk about how to make...
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347.Vegan Vitality-Health Energy and Success with Kate Galli
Women at Halftime Podcast
Have you ever wondered if a plant-based diet could truly transform your health, energy, and overall well-being? Maybe you’ve dabbled in different diets, fitness routines, or nutrition plans—only to feel overwhelmed or unsure about what really works. Is a vegan lifestyle the key to vitality, or is it just another trend? And how difficult is it to make the switch? Today, we’re diving into these questions with health and wellness, master personal trainer and coach Kate Galli, who will share insights on the power of plant-based living, the challenges and myths surrounding it, and how to make...
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346.Enjoying Life Without Losing Focus with Deborah Johnson
Women at Halftime Podcast
There's been so much talk about work and life balance, especially in recent years. Work-life balance has become a huge buzzword with living purposely with boundaries. But what does that mean? Especially at mid-career or the halftime of our lives and careers? The idea of enjoying life while staying focused it can feel like walking on a tightrope with how busy our lives are. But it is possible and essential. To apply this, we can be more fun by laughing and taking ourselves less seriously to be less dry, mundane, and even boring. In our ‘busy lives’ we take time this week to share some good...
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345.Art of the Resume with Josef Stetter
Women at Halftime Podcast
If looking for a new job or position, especially at mid-career or the halftime of life, where do you begin? With the growth of AI and many businesses downscaling, how do we set ourselves apart? Our guest today Josef Stetter brings some solid ideas and principles as a “Resumé Whisperer.” He understands what it’s like, having changed careers nine times! You will gain some insights on preparing well, on maximizing transferrable skills and even discover some trends in hiring! See full article at: Contact Joe directly at: Make sure you’re getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get...
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344.Priorities with Purpose with Deborah Johnson
Women at Halftime Podcast
Time is one of the most valuable resources we have, yet many people feel like they never have enough of it. Between work responsibilities, family obligations, and personal goals, it can be difficult to balance everything while maintaining a sense of control. The key to achieving balance isn’t about cramming more into your day; it’s about aligning your schedule with your core values and priorities. Effective time management goes beyond productivity—it’s about living with purpose. When your schedule reflects what truly matters to you, you experience less stress, more fulfillment, and...
info_outlineLife has a way of leading us down paths we never expected—sometimes through joy, but often through deep loss. An unexpected event can open doors to purpose, not only helping others but also shaping our own journey in ways we never imagined. This was the case for Michelle Swanson, who, after losing her husband to colorectal cancer, found herself committed to raising awareness and ensuring that no one has to face a diagnosis alone. Today, we’re diving into the lessons and discoveries that come through grief, exploring how we can gain perspective, find purpose, and better prepare for the unexpected moments that inevitably shape our lives. You can reach Michelle at [email protected] or on LinkedIn.
Make sure you’re getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com
#grief #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthadvocate #childgrief #complicatedgrief
CHAPTERS:
00:00 - Introduction
01:59 - Michelle Swanson, Grief Journey
05:37 - Emotional Challenges of Grief
09:13 - Coping with Stepfather’s Death
12:56 - Ripple Effects of Loss
18:20 - Professional Grief Experience
22:10 - Frustration as a Teacher
23:42 - Financial Preparation for Loss
27:48 - Importance of Life Insurance
31:10 - Updating Your Trust
33:15 - Honoring Loved Ones
37:53 - Advice for Navigating Loss
42:14 - Supporting Someone in Grief
43:31 - Contacting Michelle
48:30 - Podcast Sponsorship
Quick recap
Michelle shared her personal experience of losing her husband to cancer and her commitment to raising awareness and ensuring no one faces a diagnosis alone. She discussed the challenges of dealing with grief and loss, the importance of self-care and support, and the need for emotional preparedness for life's uncertainties. Michelle emphasized the importance of building a new foundation and version of oneself after a significant loss, and encouraged people to reach out to her for support.
Next steps • Listeners to review their life insurance policies and ensure adequate coverage. • Couples to have open discussions about finances, wills, and end-of-life wishes. • Individuals going through grief to seek help and support from friends, family, or professionals. • Listeners to ensure both partners' names are on important bills and accounts. • Individuals to create living wills and discuss future plans with loved ones. • People supporting grieving friends to be patient and understanding if they withdraw temporarily. • Listeners to practice articulating their feelings and fears to trusted individuals.