Grief doesn’t follow neat timelines – and it doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you if it still shows up years later.

Whether it’s been a decade or just a season, grief can return in a song, a memory, a smell, or even a YouTube clip that catches you off guard. That ache isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s a sign of what mattered.

In this short reflection, we explore why grief that lingers is part of love that lasts. You’ll hear a gentle reminder that:

If you’ve ever thought, “I should be over this by now,” this is your permission slip to stop trying to fix it.

It’s okay if it still aches.

It’s okay if you’re still carrying it.

What if the moment you learned who you really are changed everything?

Leyla King grew up in a vibrant family surrounded by food, faith, and love, but she did not have the language or clarity to name her Palestinian identity. In this episode, Leyla shares how a high school film screening shifted everything, leading her to reclaim her heritage, record her grandmother’s stories, and write Daughters of Palestine: A Memoir in Five Generations.

This conversation explores the power of generational storytelling, the intersection of faith and culture, and the deep responsibility of telling stories that were nearly lost.

You’ll hear about:

• Discovering her Palestinian identity as a teenager

• Recording her grandmother’s oral history in 2002

• How passing as white shaped her understanding of privilege

• The role of faith in survival, resilience, and storytelling

• Why she’s sharing her family’s truth with the world now

Guest Bio:

Leyla K. King is a Palestinian American Episcopal priest and the author of Daughters of Palestine. She’s a founding member of Palestinian Anglicans and Clergy Allies and serves as the Canon for Mission in Small Congregations for the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas.

More from Leyla:

Website: thankfulpriest.com

Book info & essays: thankfulpriest.com

Groups: palestiniananglicans.org, smallchurchesbigimpact.org

Resources: To listen in on more conversations about pivotal moments that changed lives forever, subscribe to "The Life Shift" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Access ad-free episodes released two days early: https://patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Subscribe to The Life Shift Newsletter: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/newsletter/

The Life Shift was just named one of the top 60 life-changing podcasts by FeedSpot: https://podcast.feedspot.com/life_changing_podcasts/

Connect with me:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

YouTube: https://bit.ly/thelifeshift_youtube

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thelifeshiftpod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thelifeshiftpodcast

Website: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com

Chantal Watts joins me again to dive into what’s changed since her first appearance on The Life Shift podcast. We get real about the impact of sharing her story, especially how it resonated with her former teacher and classmates.

Chantal reflects on the healing power of being open about her past and how it helped her connect with those who once knew her. It's all about the significance of vulnerability and how our stories can touch others, creating community and support. This bonus episode is a reminder that sharing isn’t just about us; it’s about the connections we forge along the way.

I’m excited to share bonus episodes from Patreon, where I revisited past guests to discuss what has changed and the value of sharing their stories. Since I currently only have the lower tiers available, I wanted to make these conversations accessible to the public feed. If you'd like to support the show directly, please consider joining the $3 or $5 tier on Patreon – www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast.

What happens when your child whispers, “It hurts everywhere, Mama”?

When the unthinkable becomes your reality, how do you show up — not just for your child, but for yourself? Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree shares the moment her world split in two with her daughter’s cancer diagnosis, and the extraordinary path it put her on.

Here’s what Laura’s story reveals:

• How trusting her intuition led to a life-saving diagnosis and years of fierce advocacy

• The power of creating a new “normal” when the old one shatters overnight

• Why she turned her pain into purpose, writing the guidebook she so desperately needed

From redefining resilience to honoring the lessons that only come with time, Laura opens up about what she learned through crisis — and how she’s turning that knowledge into a lifeline for others.

In this episode, we talk about:

• The night Laura's daughter told her she hurt “everywhere” — and how that changed everything

• What it feels like when you hear “your child has cancer”

• Stepping into the role of advocate without a manual

• The mental load and emotional weight of caregiving

• Finding community with other parents — and facing survivor’s guilt

• The moment a stranger handed her a lifeline in the hospital hallway

• Choosing not to live in the trauma for three years straight

• How a simple monologue unearthed a deeper calling to write her book

• Collaborating with her daughter’s oncologist decades later

• Why she believes parents need options, not just hope

More About Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree

Website: cancerparentshandbook.com

IG/FB/LinkedIn: @cancerparentshandbook

When Laura DeKraker Lang-Ree’s 3-year-old daughter, Cecilia, was diagnosed with leukemia, she was thrown into the chaos of childhood cancer—only to realize there was no guide, no roadmap, no expert to turn to. Determined and terrified, she became a crash-course “cancer expert,” uncovering the emotional, logistical, and relational challenges parents face.

Her book, The Cancer Parent’s Handbook: What Your Oncologist Doesn’t Have Time to Tell You, is the guide she wishes she’d had—practical, no-nonsense, and packed with strategies to help parents move beyond paralyzing stress and grief. Laura teaches families how to ask for help, build support systems, and advocate fiercely for their children while holding their own lives together.

Now an author, speaker, and advocate, she equips parents to navigate the relentless world of pediatric cancer and chronic illness with strength, clarity, and a solid plan. She lives in Los Gatos, California, and travels nationwide to support families, medical teams, and advocacy groups.

Resources: To listen in on more conversations about pivotal moments that changed lives forever, subscribe to "The Life Shift" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Access ad-free episodes released two days early: https://patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Subscribe to The Life Shift Newsletter: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/newsletter/

The Life Shift was just named one of the top 60 life-changing podcasts by FeedSpot: https://podcast.feedspot.com/life_changing_podcasts/

Connect with me:

Instagram:

What happens when your body tells you the truth before your mind is ready to hear it?

Andrew Lang had built a life around doing the most. He was a teacher, a union rep, and a quiet emotional anchor for everyone around him. But underneath it all, exhaustion was building until one night, his body gave out, and that unexpected breaking point became the beginning of something new.

Here’s what you’ll take away from Andrew’s story:

• Letting go of the need to fix everything can create space for clarity and compassion.
• Gentleness is not weakness; it's a powerful response to burnout and emotional overload.
• Healing often begins with halting steps, not grand plans.

Topics Discussed

• What burnout can actually feel like in the body before the mind registers it
• The illusion of being “good enough” and how overperforming keeps us stuck
• Carrying others’ emotional weight, especially in under-supported school systems
• The pivotal bike ride that marked Andrew’s shift from burnout to beginning again
• Why silence can be the most honest response when everything gets too heavy
• The decision to walk away from teaching after years of pouring everything in
• Starting again with intention, not obligation
• Creating space for honest storytelling and the power of community
• Redefining personal success through presence and permission
• Learning to say no, and how that can unlock a different version of life

Andrew Lang is an educator in the Pacific Northwest and core facilitator of the Gentle Change Collective, where he leads folks in finding sustainable ways to turn their experiences of overwhelm into action that brings repair and healing in their communities.

Links:

Gentle Change Collective: https://www.andrewglang.com/gentlechange

Resource that guides you in developing sustainable actions within the context we're currently living in: https://practice.andrewglang.com/products/gentle-change-starter-kit

🎧 Listen to Andrew Lang's episode now at www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/183

Resources: To listen in on more conversations about pivotal moments that changed lives forever, subscribe to "The Life Shift" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Access ad-free episodes released two days early: https://patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Subscribe to The Life Shift Newsletter: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/newsletter/

The Life Shift was just named one of the top 60 life-changing podcasts by FeedSpot: https://podcast.feedspot.com/life_changing_podcasts/

Connect with me:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Facebook:

I’m excited to share something new.

It’s Okay If… is a short-form podcast I created as part of my own healing journey — a space for bite-sized permission slips to feel what you feel and be exactly where you are.

Each episode is under 3 minutes, and a new one drops every Wednesday at noon.

In this short intro, I’ll share why I made this show, what you can expect, and how you can listen.

🎧 First 3 episodes release on Wednesday, May 21

Follow It’s Okay If… on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

💻 https://feeds.captivate.fm/its-okay-if/

Alex Knight joins me again to share how his life has shifted since we last chatted on The Life Shift. We kick things off by revisiting the pivotal moments that shaped his relationship with music and how those experiences continue to influence his life decisions. Alex shares that music has been a constant anchor, helping him navigate expectations and societal pressures. Since our last episode, he’s become more aware of how music plays a role in his happiness and creativity, emphasizing the importance of pursuing passions without the weight of external validation.

This conversation is a powerful reminder of how sharing our stories can lead to unexpected insights and connections, making it easier to embrace the journey we’re on.

I’m excited to share bonus episodes from Patreon, where I revisited past guests to discuss what has changed and the value of sharing their stories. Since I currently only have the lower tiers available, I wanted to make these conversations accessible to the public feed. If you'd like to support the show directly, please consider joining the $3 or $5 tier on Patreon – www.patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast.

Links referenced in this episode:

• patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast
• www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com

What if you woke up one day unable to speak, move, or even swallow?

Vanessa Abraham, a thriving speech pathologist and mother, was plunged into a life-threatening health crisis that left her trapped in her own body. With no clear diagnosis and a long road ahead, she found herself on the other side of the hospital bed, experiencing everything she once treated.

In this episode, Vanessa shares how she reclaimed her voice, fought for her life, and redefined her identity in the aftermath. You’ll hear:

• What it's like to live with post-intensive care syndrome (PICS)
• How motherhood fueled her survival
• Why community and mental health advocacy are at the heart of her healing

About Vanessa Abraham

Vanessa Abraham, M.S. CCC-SLP, is a certified speech pathologist, author, and advocate for ICU survivors. With over 15 years of experience, she has worked extensively with children using communication devices, a skill she unexpectedly relied on during her own medical journey. Vanessa is now a passionate advocate for trauma-informed care and post-intensive care syndrome awareness, using her personal story to educate and inspire others. Her memoir, Speechless, captures her journey from provider to patient and back, offering hope and insight to those navigating similar challenges.

• Book: Speechless on Amazon
• Instagram: @speechless_slp
• Facebook: Speechless SLP

Resources: To listen in on more conversations about pivotal moments that changed lives forever, subscribe to "The Life Shift" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Access ad-free episodes released two days early: https://patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Subscribe to The Life Shift Newsletter: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/newsletter/

The Life Shift was just named one of the top 60 life-changing podcasts by FeedSpot: https://podcast.feedspot.com/life_changing_podcasts/

Connect with me:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

YouTube: https://bit.ly/thelifeshift_youtube

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thelifeshiftpod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thelifeshiftpodcast

Website: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com

Topics Discussed

• The rare Guillain-Barre variant that left...