My Treasured Friend, My Hero, My Inspiration . . . My Mom

In July, 2019, I walked away from my mom and all of the drama of her addiction. I had finally hit the proverbial wall and said out loud, as I stood atop a mountain in Estes Park, Colorado, on a trip to visit my oldest son, “I’m done.”

In July, 2019, I walked away from my mom and all of the drama of her addiction. I had finally hit the proverbial wall and said out loud, as I stood atop a mountain in Estes Park, Colorado, on a trip to visit my oldest son, “I’m done.” Done with my role in our tumultuous co-dependent relationship, me being the cleaner-upper of messes, the “good girl”, the savior who would swoop in to save the day. Over and over and over. 

A very long 2+ months later, my phone would ring and, this time, for whatever reason, I felt compelled to answer. A sober, happy, different-sounding mom was on the other end. As a result, our relationship shifted, as she had done the work she needed to do in order to begin her healing and embrace sobriety.

That’s a blog piece for another day, however. Today, I want to share the joy of a week spent with my treasured friend, my hero, my inspiration . . . my mom!

This 85-year-old hopped on a flight and visited us for the first time since we moved to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, in June 2020. She had fretted the trip, letting anticipatory anxiety get the better of her. So much so she ended up in the hospital, due to constipation, and in her words, “the worst pain I’ve ever experienced”, just days before her scheduled flight. However, she battled through and was determined to face her insecurities about travelling and boarded that southbound jet. 

And we had the time of our lives together! She has told me at least ten times since returning home only five days ago, “I cannot thank you enough for such an enjoyable time. It was heaven on earth.”

Because a picture says a thousand words and my inner-photographer tried to capture as many memories as possible, here is our momma/daughter island adventures tale, as told by my Facebook posts and smiles:

Day 1: She’s here! She’s here! My mom was nervous about traveling, but she loved it. Great flight and everyone was so kind and helpful. She sat next to a lady who lives on the island and my mom offered her a ride home via us. Lol! What a neat lady and now a new friend for all of us. Dropped her at her place in Shipyard and she invited us to dinner at her place this week. Only my mom makes a friend who lives on island during a 90 minute flight. She’s awesome! She’s sitting here telling me dirty jokes ?

   

Our first outing for this mom vacation trip . . . mass! ? For those of you who know her, this is not a surprise. Lol! ?

    

Picked M up from work after mass and we took GJ to see the sunset at Dolphin Head before heading home for a fabulous dinner ❤ Steaks on the grill, loaded baked potatoes, and roasted carrots, broccoli, and Brussel sprouts. Mom was in foodie heaven.

  

Day 2: Mom slept until noon! Then spent the next hour reading her prayer book in the sun. Snuggled with her new best friend, Max. We watched NFL Red Zone and cheered on her favorite team, the Bengals. Then met our fabulous friends at Hickory Tavern for the Browns game. Mom chowed on spicy wings and told more dirty jokes ? Now we’re watching Pittsburgh and she’s happy to share the couch with Sammie. These dogs love her!

  

Day 3: This morning we hit a big sale at Belk where she picked out her birthday presents (it’s not until December but we decided we couldn’t pass up the sale). Then we ran to the Salty Dog for a sweatshirt and a bright yellow rain hat for her (pic to come). On to 2 grocery stores for her favorite drinks. And she asked to see the ocean so I took her to Islanders Beach. It’s quite a hike from the parking lot to the shore across a long pier but she did awesome. She thought the ocean breeze would blow her away though ? Perfect day on HHI at 72 degrees, breezy and blue skies ?

 

This one needed a post all on its own ? ? She wanted a yellow rain hat to match her yellow rain coat. Shopping at the Salty Dog and she mentioned it in line so I turned around and there it was on the shelf behind me! She is beyond adorable. I promised her we could sit outside in the sun and pray the rosary together. One happy momma. I’m treasuring every moment with her. But at the rate she’s going, she’ll outlive me!



Day 4: She’s sleeping in the sun in Maddie’s Salty Dog hoodie, holding her prayer book. She said “Don’t disturb me the rest of the day. This is wonderful.” So cute! ? She has said, “This is heaven on earth here” about 25 times ?☀? I’m so so happy to have her here.



My mom and the crazy boy are now BFFs. She’s in love with Max and he won’t leave her alone ? Look how he’s sitting on her lap!



I asked her what she wanted to watch tonight and she said “I’d love to watch Snow White”. So here we sit as she sings along to all the songs and tells the evil queen how horrible she is. This movie came out when my mom was 2 years old! Makes my heart happy to hear her giggling like a little kid as she watches ?



Mad and I took GJ shopping then for some evening sun at Dolphin Head. I told her she looks like Emperor Palpatine with the hood pulled up on Maddie’s hoodie. Lol!

 

Day 5: A morning GJ story (everyone who knows her calls her GJ for grandma Joann):
Jen and I made her coffee for her with her favorite Starbucks white chocolate mocha creamer and put it in a lighter cup as the big cup we had given her was too heavy. She read it out loud and asked, “Who is Karma?” Lol! So I explained, “Mom, Karma is the philosophy that whatever energy you put out into the world is the energy that comes back to you.” She thought about it then said, “Well, I think I have good karma”. Yes you do, Mom. Yes, you do ?

Photo is GJ explaining to the dogs why she’s not allowed to give them her pumpkin pie because “TT is mean and won’t let you eat pie” ?



My mom asked to play putt-putt then proceeded to impress us all! She beat me! ? Sinking putts like crazy! Hoping I’m rockin’ life like her at 85 ?

 

   

Today we took another huge step along the healing path. The Superior Environmental team spent 8 hours cleaning our ducts, installing new HEPA filters on both HVAC units, properly sealing all vents after repainting them, and spraying mold inhibitor chemicals in all duct work along with properly elevating the attic ducts. Two of the team members told me “it was really bad in there” and “this is going to help you so much”. My mom and I stayed outside in the backyard with the dogs and the crab most of the day while the work was completed. I took her for a little walking tour of our Spring Lake recreation area, too. She said, “I think this must be what heaven is like” ❤?☀

 

Day 6: She wanted to visit Harbor Town and the lighthouse. Mom/daughter Sea Pines tourist time. Took her to the Salty Dog and Shelter Cove for sunset, too. I love it that she’s wearing my hoodie. She fell even more in love with this island this evening ?☀??

  

 

  

   

She said, “I play Hearts on my computer every day.” I got you covered, girl! She’s set up on my laptop and one happy camper.



Snapchat is her new favorite thing! She made these videos for her great grandson, the adorable Landon ? Then she asked me to share them on Facebook so she can show her friends. If she ever figures out how to use Facebook ?

  

Day 8: Safe travels back to Cincy, my beautiful momma ❤ I love you so very much and will miss our island adventures together. Wow am I glad I looked at my emails at midnight to see your 5:41 PM flight was cancelled and we were able to get you on this early flight ?? Sending you off with love and hugs ??



I love you, Mom. And I am so incredibly proud of you. Thank you for travelling this healing journey with me.

Always and forever,
TT

#nevergiveup

A Trauma-Warrior Learns to Be Her Own Hero

The following is a blog piece I was invited to write for The Hope Chest, which includes survivor stories, at the Tristate Trauma Network:

For those of you working as trauma recovery advocates, I applaud you. And I thank you with all of my heart. I could not have made it to this beautiful place of tranquility and joy without the guidance of my therapists, most notably my four years in EMDR therapy. As healing guides, you know that it is up to survivors to do the necessary work. There is no magic wand to be waved over the adverse experiences and their resulting impact on the brain, body, and spirit. As much as we survivors wish it so. We are the ones who must return to the darkness, and, at the very least, allow the remnants of those bleak experiences to be processed in a healthy manner.

As I dumped my compartmentalized traumas onto the floor in the safety of Dr. Hensley’s office, I was also working in a mental health agency with kids through the school system. There we were, these struggling kiddos and me, learning about breathing strategies for reregulating our bodies, and silly-fun animal yoga poses, and taking nature walks on the playground searching for treasures and heart-shaped pebbles. I was helping them build their coping skills toolboxes . . . not realizing I was building my own in the process. A beautiful podcast guest on my show once named these skills: complimentary healing strategies. And that spoke to my soul.

I walked away from my Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (that’s a mouthful!) therapy and my mental health agency position feeling empowered and hopeful. Knowing my brain was malleable, due to learning about the science of neuroplasticity, I knew I had to share my story of hope with others in every way possible. A blog. A podcast. A book. Therapy dog volunteer work. Speaking engagements. Online summits. Interviews. And now . . . online courses and coaching!

I had reached out to several of my previous podcast guests, many of whom are #1 best-selling authors and successful therapists, coaches, researchers, and motivational speakers, asking for their guidance on growing my audience, publishing my book, and helping my soul work blossom. Over forty of them responded with an enthusiastic, “Of course I’ll help you!”. I now have a spreadsheet filled with resources, from the names of their publishers and agents, to marketing ideas and free Facebook groups for writers, podcasters, coaches, and healers. What a treasured gift.

Several of them advised me, “Teri, you need to take your incredible trauma recovery knowledge and create online courses.” The survivor in me thought, “Me? Why would anyone want to learn from ME?” The thriver in me, however, did a happy dance and exclaimed, “Yeah, I do!” So, I started researching my options. Kajabi, Udemy, Thinkific, Podia, Teachable, and so many more had my head swirling. However, as I always do, I persevered and finally narrowed it down to Teachable. It helped that I had just joined PodMatch and its creator, Alex Sanfilippo, had reached out to me seeking my advice on improving his platform. As we chatted, I mentioned creating an online course and possibly using Teachable, when he responded, “That’s who I use.” That answered that prayer!

And I dove in. Spending weeks creating content, editing, mulling over ideas, cheering myself on, submitting lectures to my Teachable Onboarding Specialist for her feedback, and launching a pre-sale on the two courses I completed: a Trauma-Warrior 1-Day Introductory Course and a Be Your Own Hero 10-Day Course. I cried tears of joy as they went live, knowing the pain of my past was weaved with the hope of my triumph to create these complimentary healing lessons!

____________________________________________

The Course Curriculum for the Trauma-Warrior course, which is intended to give students a sampling of content available in the more in-depth Be Your Own Hero course, includes:

Trauma-Warrior Welcome

Module 1: ACEs Science Introduction

Module 2: Healing Strategies Intro

Module 3: The Positive Effects of Hope

Module 4: Positive Affirmations

Module 5: Mini Meditation

Module 6: Continue Your Hope for Healing Journey

The Course Curriculum for the Be Your Own Hero 10-Day Course, which includes videos, challenges, prompts, a bonus gift, and more, consists of:

Welcome!

Day 1: Review of 1-Day Course and Upcoming Content

Day 2: ACEs Science and Writing

Day 3: Healing Strategies

Day 4: Hope Science

Day 5: Power of Positivity

Day 6: A Deeper Dive into Forgiveness

Day 7: Mindfulness & Meditation

Day 8: Creating Your Own Healing Plan

Day 9: Summarizing What You’ve Learned and Additional Material

Day 10: Continuing Your Healing Journey

I also elected to meet with my fellow survivors in a coaching role. Not to delve out therapeutic advice, as I gladly leave that to the licensed professionals, but, rather, to offer a hand to hold in a been-there-done-that survivor role. Only I’ve transitioned into thriver mode and have a plethora of street cred to share. I joke that I have a PhD in trauma survival! My goal with this service is to walk alongside those with trauma history or adverse childhood experiences, particularly those with higher ACEs scores, me on one side, a therapist on the other, both of us holding a hand, encouraging our triver-to-be, “You’ve got this! I believe in you!” as their inner trauma-warrior learns to be their own hero.

Peace and blessings,
Teri Wellbrock

Trauma-Warrior #hopeforhealing

P.S. Register for courses and/or coaching at academy.teriwellbrock.com and subscribe to my Hope for Healing Newsletter at https://teriwellbrock.com/ Also, be sure to join me for hope-filled conversations on The Healing Place Podcast on your favorite podcast audio outlet or on the Teri Wellbrock YouTube channel.

The Healing Place Podcast: David Brower – Sensorial Intelligence: Using Our Senses to Experience Alivefulness

As a #1 Best-Selling Author, Poet, Speaker, Life Coach & Super Connector, making living itself an art, David Charles Brower spends his life searching for love and creating abundant sensorial experiences everywhere he goes, wherever and whomever he finds himself with.

I feel honored to have had the opportunity to sit with David Brower, #1 Best-Selling Author, Poet, Speaker, Life Coach & Super Connector.  Please join us as we discuss:

  • David’s insights on romance, grief, and love
  • his philosophies on alivefulness
  • his romantic poetic love short story book Dance of the Love Caterpillars
  • what he means by sensorial intelligence
  • and so much more!

Welcome to The Healing Place Podcast! I am your host, Teri Wellbrock. You can listen in on Pandora, iTunesBlubrrySpotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, or directly on my website at www.teriwellbrock.com/podcasts/. You can also catch soundbites of our insightful interview on YouTube.

Bio:

“As a #1 Best-Selling Author, Poet, Speaker, Life Coach & Super Connector, making living itself an art, David Charles Brower spends his life searching for love and creating abundant sensorial experiences everywhere he goes, wherever and whomever he finds himself with.

As The Sensorial Guy, and inspired by his own romantic personality, he inspires others globally to connect to each other in meaningful ways, to find useful joy in the everyday, create moments of romance daily and find pleasure in the small details and nuances of life. To seek relentlessly to fuse pleasure with purpose, sometimes a tad mischievously too…

Always from his intensively creative perspective, David expresses his love for life through writing, poetry, dancing, creating delicious meals in his professional home kitchen, gathering and hosting people, and helping others transform from the stage as a storyteller.

His former work experience was in world class international entertainment and cinema for over 20 years, which has also shaped his love for the creative process and people, and their stories, laying the foundation for his next adventure in love: writing his first short story. Dance of the Love Caterpillars is a romantic love story between two caterpillars that is aimed at romantics of all ages.

His work for the larger part of the last decade has been in developing his Sensorial Intelligence™ programs, events and lifestyle, and have been catalysts for the creation of this heartening story, Dance of the Love Caterpillars. This storytelling gem is a
universal romantic love story between two caterpillars, an inspiration to lovers and would-be romantics of all ages.

David, an American by birth, has chosen the city of love and pleasure, Paris, as his home for the last 30 years.”

You can connect with David Charles Brower at www.davidbrower.com

And find him as David Brower on Facebook
And as @thesensorialguy on Instagram

** Visit David’s website: https://davidbrower.com/

Teri

Hope for Healing Newsletter: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=8265f971343b0f411b871aba1&id=1352bd63df

Book Launch Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unicornshadows

The Healing Place Podcast: Paolina Milana – Madness to Magic; & the Role of Caretaker for Struggling Family Members

Dynamic and talented, Paolina Milana brings us a unique story of resilience and growth. Her book, COMMITTED: A Memoir of Madness in the Family, (She Writes Press – May 2021) is a memoir that shows us what it’s like to grow up with a paranoid schizophrenia mother only to find out that your little sister shares a similar diagnosis of mental illness.

Another thoroughly delightful conversation, this time with award-winning author, coach, podcaster, speaker, and blogger, Paolina Milana.  Please join us as we discuss:

  • Paolina’s insights on mental health struggles
  • her philosophies on the “S words”
  • her role as caretaker for family members with mental health issues
  • what she means by madness to magic
  • and so much more!

Welcome to The Healing Place Podcast! I am your host, Teri Wellbrock. You can listen in on Pandora, iTunesBlubrrySpotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, or directly on my website at www.teriwellbrock.com/podcasts/. You can also catch soundbites of our insightful interview on YouTube.

Bio:

“Dynamic and talented, Paolina Milana brings us a unique story of resilience and growth. Her book, COMMITTED: A Memoir of Madness in the Family, (She Writes Press – May 2021) is a memoir that shows us what it’s like to grow up with a paranoid schizophrenia mother only to find out that your little sister shares a similar diagnosis of mental illness. A first generation Sicilian American, Paolina Milana had to play caretaker, secret keeper, and maintain a “normal” life while voices in her head worried her about her own sanity. In this beautifully written page-turner, Milana inspires us with her triumphs and resiliency and offers solace to anyone burdened with the role of caretaker to any family member with health issues.”

** Visit Paolina’s website: https://madnesstomagic.com/

Teri

Hope for Healing Newsletter: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=8265f971343b0f411b871aba1&id=1352bd63df

Book Launch Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unicornshadows

The Healing Place Podcast: Debbie Anderson – Vibrational Energy as a Healing Tool – Tap into Higher Frequencies

I SEE DEAD PEOPLE.  Yes, that is how Debbie A. Anderson introduces herself.  From a young age she had the ability to connect & see spirit.  For over 35 years she has united people with loved ones who have crossed over to say “Hi”, get closure or maybe find that missing will. 

I love that this conversation started with Debbie Anderson, writer, healer, and medium, pulling a card with a heart on it (many of you know how I find hearts every day without fail) and another one about laughter . . . and that we did! I even had to edit out part of it because, Sammie, my labradoodle, was having some “gas” issues. Haha! Please join us as we discuss:

  • Debbie’s insights on vibrational energy
  • her philosophies on collective and individual enlightenment
  • her role as a clairvoyant medium and energy healer
  • what she means by creating self-harmony
  • and so much more!

Welcome to The Healing Place Podcast! I am your host, Teri Wellbrock. You can listen in on Pandora, iTunesBlubrrySpotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, or directly on my website at www.teriwellbrock.com/podcasts/. You can also catch soundbites of our insightful interview on YouTube.

Bio:

“I SEE DEAD PEOPLE.  Yes, that is how Debbie A. Anderson introduces herself.  From a young age she had the ability to connect & see spirit.  For over 35 years she has united people with loved ones who have crossed over to say “Hi”, get closure or maybe find that missing will.  She raises the vibration & shares the positive using the oracle & affirmation decks she has published, teaching others how to shift their energy to tap into the “self” in a focused & balanced way. Sign up for her newsletter & receive I AM Mantra meditation FREE.”

DownloadMobile App – Vibrational Energy Oracle Deck

DownloadMobile App – Vibrational Earth Children Oracle Deck

** Visit Debbie’s website: www.Vibrational-Energy.com

Teri

Hope for Healing Newsletter: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=8265f971343b0f411b871aba1&id=1352bd63df

Book Launch Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unicornshadows

The Healing Place Podcast: Mary Knight – Healing from Childhood Trauma; & the Journey to Determine if Your Memories Are True

Child pornography survivor Mary Knight, MSW, tells about the path she took to the great life she now has in her personal documentary “Am I Crazy? My journey to determine if my memories are true.”

Mary Knight, retired social worker and full-time writer and film-maker, joins me for a powerful conversation on childhood trauma. Please join us as we discuss:

  • Mary’s insights on recovered memories of childhood trauma
  • her philosophies on determining if your memories are true
  • her documentary Am I Crazy? My journey to determine if my memories are true
  • her list of 23 dream strategies
  • and so much more!

Welcome to The Healing Place Podcast! I am your host, Teri Wellbrock. You can listen in on Pandora, iTunesBlubrrySpotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, or directly on my website at www.teriwellbrock.com/podcasts/. You can also catch soundbites of our insightful interview on YouTube.

Child pornography survivor Mary Knight, MSW, tells about the path she took to the great life she now has in her personal documentary “Am I Crazy? My journey to determine if my memories are true.” In addition to the trailer for this film, her website includes an essay about the link between KKK and pedophilia, an amazingly uplifting short film about breaking the cycle of marital domestic violence, and a 23 item “How I Healed” list. www.MaryKnightProductions.com

maryknighthappy@yahoo.com

https://www.facebook.com/mary.knight.52

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mary-knight-msw-84426547/

Bio:

Mary Knight, MSW

  • Masters Degree in Social Work
  • 23 years social work experience
  • Full time filmmaker since 2010
  • Survivor of child pornography
  • Ritualistic abuse survivor
  • Sex trafficked/pimped by her own parents
  • Lifetime child advocate
  • Keynote speaker
  • ​Received speaker rating of 4.9 (out of 5) at Tri-Cities Council Against Trafficking Conference, Pasco, Washington, June 2019
  • Showed domestic violence film to representatives of 12 Middle Eastern and Northern African nations at Oregon World Affairs Council (May 2014 & March 2017)
  • Conducted full day workshop in Leipzig, Germany (February 2019)​
  • Writer/Director of two feature-length films and numerous shorts
  • Documentary, “Mothers & Molestation: A film about child abuse” to be released in 2021
  • Memoir “Becoming Mrs. Brown” to be published in 2021 

** Visit Mary’s website: http://www.maryknightproductions.com/index.html

** If you need financial assistance in viewing the film, reach out to Mary at maryknighthappy@yahoo.com for a promo code

Teri

Hope for Healing Newsletter: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=8265f971343b0f411b871aba1&id=1352bd63df

Book Launch Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unicornshadows

The Healing Place Podcast: Hilary Crowley – The Power of Energy Medicine; & the Role of a Natural Health Intuitive

Hilary Crowley is the author of The Power of Energy Medicine: Your Natural Prescription for Resilient Health (Skyhorse/ Simon&Schuster 2021.) She discovered her interest in the healing arts as the grandchild of three doctors.

This beautiful conversation had my heart smiling throughout as I learned much from Hilary Crowley, author and Natural Health Intuitive. Please join us as we discuss:

  • Hilary’s insights on the energy that supports resilience
  • her philosophies on utilizing energy for healing
  • her book The Power of Energy Medicine: Your Natural Prescription for Resilient Health
  • her role as a natural health intuitive, podcaster, author, healer
  • and so much more!

Welcome to The Healing Place Podcast! I am your host, Teri Wellbrock. You can listen in on Pandora, iTunesBlubrrySpotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, or directly on my website at www.teriwellbrock.com/podcasts/. You can also catch soundbites of our insightful interview on YouTube.

Bio:

“Hilary Crowley is the author of The Power of Energy Medicine: Your Natural Prescription for Resilient Health (Skyhorse/ Simon&Schuster 2021.) She discovered her interest in the healing arts as the grandchild of three doctors. In her early career, she worked at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, and Exeter Hospital. Since 1995, she has studied with leaders in energy medicine and medical intuition.

In 2008, Hilary opened her office as a Natural Health Intuitive at the integrative & general family medical center, Whole Life Health Care in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. With clients referred by surgeons, nurses, physicians, psychotherapists, acupuncturists, physical therapists, nutritionists, and other holistic medical practitioners, Hilary uses energy medicine techniques to identify root issues of disease and stress.

Hilary’s hands-on work involves balancing and interpreting the subtle energy field of the human body to bring wellness and authentic health to her clients.

She teaches on topics of energy medicine and health throughout the United States.

Hilary is a graduate of Syracuse University and lives with her husband and two sons in New Hampshire.”

** Visit Hilary’s website: https://www.naturalhealthintuition.com/

Teri

Hope for Healing Newsletter: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=8265f971343b0f411b871aba1&id=1352bd63df

Book Launch Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unicornshadows

What Can You Buy for $27?

I have had it on my To-Do list for a few weeks now to send out an announcement about the launch of my strategy-filled online courses. I was hoping to come up with something clever to entice folks to check them out. As I sat here this afternoon contemplating how to encourage y’all (practicing my South Carolina slang) to sign up and/or invite friends to join me, I thought out lout,
I wonder what I could buy for $27.00?
Then I came across this article from 2019 and it made me smile. So I’m sharing it with you for entertainment purposes . . . but with the ulterior motive to add in a plug for my 1-Day Trauma-Warrior class. Anyone can sign up for $27!

So, your choice . . . poop emoji slippers or self-care. I, personally, think you deserve both.

The Healing Place Podcast: Shelley Buck & Kathy Curtis – Love & Loss: Cathartic Writing, Living Your Light, and Talking Through Grief as Healing Tools

Ryder Buck lived a short but charmed life on the west coast, where he practiced yoga, fell in and out of love, and formed an indie band, Ryder Buck & the Breakers, that made waves all across the LA area.

A deeply beautiful and insightful conversation on love and loss with mother, storyteller and artist, Shelley Buck, and her lifelong friend, healing artist and writer, Kathy Curtis. Please join us as we discuss:

  • their insights on friendship and the gift of writing a healing book together
  • their philosophies on grief, loss, healing strategies, and “living your light”
  • their book Leave Your Light On: The Musical Mantra Left Behind by an Illuminating Spirit
  • Shelley’s son, Ryder Buck, and his wisdom and light shared through his journal entries and music
  • and so much more!

Welcome to The Healing Place Podcast! I am your host, Teri Wellbrock. You can listen in on Pandora, iTunesBlubrrySpotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, or directly on my website at www.teriwellbrock.com/podcasts/. You can also catch soundbites of our insightful interview on YouTube.

Bio:

Shelley Buck

“Shelley Buck was born into a creative family in the Midwest and moved to California after college to follow her dream of working for Disney. It was there she met and fell in love with her husband, Chris, who worked in animation. After they married and had their first child, Ryder, she stayed home to be a full-time mom to him and the two brothers who followed.

She is a storyteller and artist, which she expresses through her original jewelry at ShelRae Designs. When Ryder was diagnosed with cancer and the journey went to unimaginable places, she poured her heart into writing their story. Her lessons in parenting through these tribulations, combined with the power of Ryder’s larger-than-life spirit, offer profound messages for living in the light.”

Kathy Curtis

“Kathy Curtis moved into Shelley’s neighborhood when they were both 12 years old and an instant, lifelong friendship took root. She has worked as a healing artist and writer since 1991. Her programs support the transformation of grief, illness, and emotional barriers through creative expression. She is the author of Invisible Ink, a memoir about her own journey through grief. The unique writing process that brought her so much healing has since become a successful program, online and at various venues in the Midwest.

Kathy’s intimate connection to the Buck family, combined with her writing and healing background, made her the perfect person to partner with Shelley on the creation of this book.”

Ryder Buck

“Ryder Buck lived a short but charmed life on the west coast, where he practiced yoga, fell in and out of love, and formed an indie band, Ryder Buck & the Breakers, that made waves all across the LA area. After a 9-month battle with cancer, Ryder emerged disease-free and fearlessly followed his dreams of changing people’s lives
through his music. When tragedy met him on a dark highway, the light he had so fiercely protected throughout his life became limitless. His words and songs continue to carry that light forward. Ryder received the Flame of Hope Award (posthumously) from a local cancer facility where he and his band played for cancer survivors.”

** Visit the book website: https://www.leaveyourlightonbook.com/

** Download inspirational Ryder’s music: ‎Leave Your Light On by Ryder Buck on Apple Music https://music.apple.com/us/album/leave-your-light-on/1045120973?i=1045120980Peace,

Teri

Hope for Healing Newsletter: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=8265f971343b0f411b871aba1&id=1352bd63df

Book Launch Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unicornshadows

The Healing Place Podcast: Melanie Gibson – Hiding in Plain Sight with Mental Illness

Although Melanie had academic and career achievements throughout her life, she struggled with mental illness and low self-esteem. After making some progress through psychiatric treatment and counseling, she knew she needed to do something more substantial to make lasting changes. Returning to taekwondo had always been in the back of her mind, and the timing was right. 

Join me for an insightful conversation with author and blogger, Melanie Gibson, as we discuss:

  • Melanie’s insights on martial arts as a healing strategy
  • her philosophies on mental health stigmas
  • her book Kicking and Screaming: A Memoir of Madness and Martial Arts
  • her Little Black Belt blog
  • and so much more!

Welcome to The Healing Place Podcast! I am your host, Teri Wellbrock. You can listen in on Pandora, iTunesBlubrrySpotify, iHeartRadio, Stitcher, Deezer, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, and more, or directly on my website at www.teriwellbrock.com/podcasts/. You can also catch soundbites of our insightful interview on YouTube.

Bio:

“Melanie Gibson began taekwondo training at age ten. At age twelve she stopped taekwondo to pursue other interests, and resumed training in her early thirties.

Although Melanie had academic and career achievements throughout her life, she struggled with mental illness and low self-esteem. After making some progress through psychiatric treatment and counseling, she knew she needed to do something more substantial to make lasting changes. Returning to taekwondo had always been in the back of her mind, and the timing was right. 

Taekwondo proved to be not only an opportunity to re-learn a beloved skill from her childhood, but also a means to build her self-esteem and confidence, and heal from old wounds. It brought a needed excitement and purpose to her life, which she shares in her blog Little Black Belt (http://littleblackbelt.com). While continuing to work at her full-time job, Melanie dedicated herself to taekwondo training and earned her first degree black belt in 2015. In 2017, she earned her second degree black belt. Although a pandemic and knee injury sidelined her training in 2020, Melanie plans to return to taekwondo and test for her third degree black belt. 

She has a bachelor’s degree in English from Texas Woman’s University, a Master of Library Science from the University of North Texas, and an MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington. Melanie has worked in the healthcare industry since 2004, with roles as a hospital librarian, corporate trainer, and learning designer.”

** Visit Melanie’s website: https://littleblackbelt.com/Peace,

Teri

Hope for Healing Newsletter: https://us18.campaign-archive.com/?u=8265f971343b0f411b871aba1&id=1352bd63df

Book Launch Team: https://www.facebook.com/groups/unicornshadows