RETURN ON WISDOM
RE-TURN ON WISDOM
#8 ON DEATH & RE-BIRTHS
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#8 ON DEATH & RE-BIRTHS

The Gifts Of Grief
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Hey good human, 

This week we dive into trauma, divorce, personal growth, the gifts of grief, and the cycles of death and re-birth. All in under 14 minutes. 

Eight stories in, you might think I’ve got it all figured out. But the truth?

RE-TURN ON WISDOM is a wild experiment. Each generous interview delivers a beacon of connection, hope, and humanity. It’s an ongoing journey of learning and growing.

There’s a certain kind of human who’s up for these chats. They are courageous and generous, willing to traverse the full spectrum of the human experience. They understand that their lived experience wisdom can guide others’ paths ahead.

So, thank you. For honouring their courage to share their stories. As many of you mentioned, Dee from last week's episode is a true warrior woman. 

And so is this week’s guest, Danielle. Both feel like spiritual mothers to me.

In this powerful episode, Danielle shares her deeply personal journey through loss, healing, and transformation. 

She is a walking wisdom machine, presenting new perspectives on the full spectrum of life, from love to grief, from grief to love.

The gift on the other side of the trauma is waiting for you

Danielle’s story is one many of us fear or avoid contemplating, but it certainly made me reflect on my own life.

At the heart of her journey is the concept of death and re-birth—not as a one-time event, but as an ongoing process that reshapes us again and again.

Offt. I love this concept so much. 

Her story reflects a universal truth: life is a series of deaths and re-births—through relationships, careers, loves, eras, people - and even within ourselves

RE-FLECTION 

What areas of your life have experienced a "death" or significant ending? How did those moments lead to a re-birth or new beginning?

One of the things I love most about this conversation is Danielle's willingness to share the practical tools that have helped her navigate these transitions. Every human has their own way of dealing with life’s inevitable changes. Finding personal practices that resonate with you can help release stagnant energy and allow emotions to flow.

If only I had been taught this in school—"Here, Nim, are some tools to help you navigate those lower-vibration (but totally human) emotions like anger, fear, grief, and sadness." Each of us needs a toolkit that is uniquely ours.

Why don't we as a culture understand that we must honour the grief? 

"Time will heal you" or "You’ll be okay after a while." Just no. Please, don’t say this to anyone who is grieving.

Grief needs space. And that space is different for each individual. When we honour our grief in its full, human form, we create space for love, wisdom, and re-birth to enter.

This resonates even more today as my Insight Timer app shared a fitting quote:

"The best way is always through." – Robert Frost

So here’s to you if you're going through it. I see you. And here’s to the warrior women who grace our ears by living through it, and having the courage the share.

Thank you for being part of this community that listens, learns, and values lived experience wisdom.

Take care and take risk, 

Nim xxx 

Every action you take today helps me keep these important conversations going. 

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PS. Microdose on lived experience wisdom from previous episodes of RE-TURN ON WISDOM

#1 On Identity and Self Discovery - 10min | #2 On grief and caring - 9min | #3 On shame and addiction - 10min | #4 On love - 10min | #5 On Connection - 9min | #6 On Progress | #7 On Invisible Disability & Humanity - 15min

If you have the financial means to upgrade to a paid subscription it directly helps us to continue these important conversations. Thank you.

Discussion about this podcast

RETURN ON WISDOM
RE-TURN ON WISDOM
A storytelling project: chats with people who have lived over 18,000 days.
Let’s re-connect to our most valuable resources: wisdom and time.
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Nim de Swardt