Claim OwnershipReal Talk with Life After Grief Chris
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© 2024 Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris
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"Helping those in grief (and the advisors who support them) navigate financial matters."In 2008, at the peak of the recession, I lost my mother to cancer in August and my father to a broken heart in November. In 2010, my grandmother passed away after a stroke. Then a heart wrenching experience in 2012 of losing my oldest child.I became a financial planner in 2003 during the process of helping my parents in their declining health. In 2011, three years after my parents passed, I became a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ to better help families in need. In 2021, I became a Certified Financial Transitionist® to complete my personal and professional experience with formal education and scientific theory. My personal experiences and knowledge of grief and loss of loved ones helps me to understand and assist families enduring similar situations. I’ve helped over 400 families navigate many financial issues and life circumstances such as grieving loss of loved ones.
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Send us a text Facing Holidays Without Loved Ones Holidays can stir a mix of joy and melancholy, especially when facing them without loved ones. As shared in the podcast, the first Thanksgiving and Christmas after personal losses were overwhelming. Traditions that once brought comfort felt hollow. Chris recounts the emotional toll and the necessity to find a mental space to recharge. Planning for holidays in advance, creating actionable plans, and even opting out of festivities if needed, ar...
Send us a text Ever had your personal data compromised? I did, and it was a lesson I never saw coming. Hear the full story on how I navigated this nightmare. Understanding the Breach: A Personal Account In today's digital age, the amount of personal information that's vulnerable to breaches is overwhelming. I recently experienced a security breach that laid bare the fragility of our digital footprints. These individuals, whoever they were, managed to acquire sensitive information about...
Send us a textIn today's episode I interview Marinda Freeman. Marinda is an awe-inspiring widow, whom I met by chance while speaking at a conference earlier this year. We talk about her journey through widowhood. Marinda's inspiration has come through a book which she authored called "The Grief Train". She ties in her experiences as a widow to those of many other widows in their plight to a new, normal life. Marinda was truly an inspiration to have on the podcast. I have included her contact ...
Send us a text I was super excited for an inspiring chat with PreMed Student, Sophia Donovan. Sophia also happens to be my Goddaughter. We talk about things like.... What makes sense financially...traveling abroad or staying stateside for an internship or residency? What makes sense financially....attending an expensive top tier med school or a modest well established med school? We also talk about finances applicable to any college student...budgets, how much to spend on what a...
Send us a text Today's podcast is with SuperStar US Naval Academy Student, Maddox D. Maddox challenges me with real life questions facing college students aspiring to transition to careers after college. He also asks great questions pertaining to any young adult, who has recently transitioned from high school to college. Maddox's parlay into the the US Naval Academy is no easy feat. The US Naval Academy has an acceptance rate of 8%. Not great odds, but Maddox got in with great grades, ...
Send us a text Today I had the pleasure of interviewing High School Student/Athlete Luka D. Luka is also known as my godson and nephew. Luka came to me about a year ago and asked why I have not interviewed any young folks on the podcast about their questions about finance. Well, I decided to bring his question to life. Luka is wise beyond his years as you will see by his questions and methodical process on the podcast. I was both happy and inspired to interview him. I probably l...
Send us a text We are back for another wonderful season of Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris. The opening of Season 7 is all about teenagers and college students asking financial questions. During Season 6, I was probed by some very curious high schoolers and college students to answer financial questions, which are important to up and coming full-fledged adults. This was really fun for me as it took me back to my high school and college years. Of course, I will also t...
Send us a text In this week's episode I go into detail about Trauma Response. More specifically, the six trauma responses. I talk about the details of each response and provide personal examples. I was asked to somewhat normalize the explanation, to help others feel at ease when understanding their trauma responses. I hope you like this week's episode. See on next week's episode. Cheers!!! Support the show Did you know you can now Help Us Continue Making Awesome C...
Send us a text Have you ever heard of a Certified Divorce Coach? I recently met and had the pleasure of interviewing Debra Doak. Debbie is a Certified Divorce Coach. She helps with those hard decisions concerning marriage, divorce, money and life. My initial exposure to Debbie was based on a presentation she did about Financial Abuse. And boy, was I blown away with her expertise. I was simply amazed with her wealth of knowledge in regard to helping anyone mak...
Send us a text In this week's episode, I share some listener feedback. I was simply wowed at the folks who reached out to me to share their trauma experiences. I was equally amazed how certain therapies, including EMDR really helped them. Some of the listeners I spoke to talked about the gravity of their trauma such as: abuse, molestation, death, addiction, racial trauma and many other forms of trauma. I took solace in the fact that my experience and willingness to share about m...
Send us a text In today's episode I want to talk about trauma therapy. Specifically, one that I have experienced called EMDR. EMDR is short for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. Let me describe EMDR in layman’s terms. Imagine walking past a grassy area and have no emotional response. Imagine, I walk by that same grassy area and my heart begins to race, I get anxious, I start to get very nervous, my mind starts racing and I start sweating. To furthe...
Send us a text Depression is a subject not often talked about by men. In this episode, I will talk about my experience with depression. I also talk about how I identified periods in my life where I experienced depression. With a ton of support and resources at my fingertips, I have a steady flow of positivity that helps me deal with extreme hardship and trauma. You will hear ongoing habits that I have instilled to help me avoid emotional pitfalls that can lead to depre...
Send us a text Greetings and welcome to episode 4 of Season 6-Racism and Discrimination I decided to reboot a previous episode on the subject. As I have gotten older, and maybe wiser, I understand the traumatic effects of dealing with years of unsolicited biases due to the color of my skin. In this episode, I describe some horrible experiences I have had with racism and discrimination. These experiences have been both emotional and physically exhausting. The t...
Send us a text Greetings and welcome to Episode 3. In this week's episode, I use a personal example of a traumatic event to demonstrate its emotional effects. I share the many emotional and physical effects of trauma. I share what trauma looks and feels like. My hope is to normalize trauma and shed light on the subject. I hope you like this week's episode. Cheers and see you next week. Support the show Did you know you can now Help Us Continue Making Awesome Co...
Send us a text Welcome back to Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris episode 2. In this episode, I go into further detail about trauma. Listen in as I provide a personal example as well as the emotional and physical effects. Trauma is not something we create, but something from which we recover. I also provide a link, which details the dramatic effects on both the mind and body. themind.org.uk See you on the next episode. Cheers and be well. Support the s...
Send us a text Welcome back to Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris. We have made it to Season 6 with a tremendous amount of support. This season is all about Trauma. On the heels of releasing a lot of information at the tail end of Season 5, I thought a natural extension would be a deep dive into trauma. As trauma can very emotional and triggering, I am going to be very thoughtful as to any potential guests as I do not want to place on unfair burden on their journey. ...
Send us a text Allow me to Re-Introduce myself..... I have been leading up to some very traumatic stuff that has happened in life. I thought that I should lead up to the next podcast (where I fully disclose) with my initial introduction before I could no longer hide what transpired. Below is what I used to introduce myself on my inaugural podcast. I am both a financial planner to clients and consultant to other financial planners. I help clients and adv...
Send us a text Coming on the heels of the first of a 3 part mini-series. In last week's episode, I shared a surprise that would lead me down a dark path of discovery, highlighting significant traumas early in my life. I've been told that my willingness to share will help others. If you are wondering if I received help dealing with these traumas----the answer is yes. As I advise anyone of my grieving clients to seek the guidance of a trained professional, I did the same. I...
Send us a text I have been leading up to some heavy stuff this season. I have also been told that my willingness to share my experiences with trauma could ultimately help others with theirs. I am opening up about some of the traumas of my past. Infidelity and Child Abuse are often taboo topics. Unfortunately, I have trauma from both as they overlapped most of my life. Take listen to my story. If it resonates, I hope it helps you. If you know someone...
Send us a text Today I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing and learning from Megan Kopka, CFP®, CRPC®. Megan is wonderful financial planner with a ton of experience in both life and career. Megan is also a widow who had the daunting experience of being a caregiver for her husband, while raising two children. Her ability to not only make it through the experience, but to help others in their journey, is truly remarkable. I am honored to learn from her. Me...
Send us a text In today's episode I talk about grief reminders. I want to be clear that grief reminders are different than grief triggers. I explore the technical definition by the Mayo Clinic. I also use a personal example of a grief reminder that I recently experienced. I also mention free resources for Grief Trigger support. If you like this episode, please free to pass this along to any friends, family members & colleagues. Cheers! See you on the next episode. Suppo...
Send us a text In today's episode I have the distinct pleasure of RE-Introducing Carolyn Moor. Although she needs no introduction, Carolyn was the first to introduce me to the idea of Super Survivors. She is well known as the founder and director of the Modern Widows Club. Today, I have the honor of picking Carolyn's brain in terms of what made her a Super Survivor. We focus on 4 main areas: Choose Life: live for the future, not in the past Reach out: connect...
Send us a text Super Survivors Volunteer! Super Survivors Volunteer!! Super Survivors Volunteer!!! I have spoken in previous podcasts about the power of volunteering. In this podcast I talk about 10 definitive benefits of volunteering. Furthermore, Super Survivors embrace volunteering in the format of striving to help others. Here are the 10 benefits mentioned above: 1. Provides you with a sense of purpose You may be able to find your purpose through volunteering an...
Send us a text In this final episode of season 5, I interview my brother, Mike. His experiences coupled with mine bring our shared experience full circle. Forgiveness is the key. Looking at the bright side of life does make things better. We survived with a lot of trauma along the way. Our hope is that by talking about the hard stuff, it allows just one other person the ability to change the trajectory of their life. Please feel free to share this episode with a...
Send us a text In this episode we explore Brain Fog. Simply stated, Brain Fog is the brain's way of protecting itself. Brain Fog clouds memory function during times of grief, trauma or extreme stress. Specifically, concentration and mental acuity are affected. I noted having a hard time juggling normal tasks without feeling overwhelmed. I also seemed to forget things with regularity until the brain fog passed. In my travels and seeking guidance ...
Send us a text In today’s podcast I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lisa McFarland. If you recall I interviewed Lisa in Season 3. Lisa is a mother who has thrived through significant grief from child loss, divorce and caring for a special needs child. In our conversation today, we talk at length about her uncanny ability to become a Super Survivor. During her explanation you will understand the four areas in which Lisa has transitioned from a resilient survivor t...
Send us a text I am pleased to introduce Super Survivor Donna Kendrick. Donna was widowed in 2013. Remarkably, she made Super Survivor status in her plight to make life easier for other widows after her own experience. Donna found life after grief when she found new love and remarried in 2022. She now enjoys an expanded family with six children. Donna focuses on helping families in transition. Donna has many resources available including her podcast,&nbs...
Send us a text This episode is all about Super Survivors. A Super Survivor is an individual that faces tragedy head on, turns it on its head and makes use of the tragedy in a manner that helps others. I talk about a book, which I will refer to periodically this season---Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges by Steven M. Southwick & Dennis S. Charney. On Page 230 we dive into what sets a Super Survivor apart from someone who is resilient alone. A Super S...
Send us a text As we begin Season 5 with a bang, I have encountered so many strong, enduring and growth minded folks. In this episode I speak about Resilience. The power of resilience can be inherited and/or acquired. In my case, I gained resilience through a combination of both. Throughout this season you will hear me bring up the concept of Super Survivor. I was fortunate to be introduced both to the idea and some pretty dynamic Super Survivors. Some of t...
Send us a text In the final episode of Season 4, I would like to extend my complete gratitude to all guests, listeners and supporters of the podcast. In my wildest dreams, I would never have imagined that my experience, let alone my podcast, would be able to touch so many folks. I have been told over and over that my podcast has given life, eased the burden, provided perspective and renewed faith in the lives of so many. In this episode, I highlight some of the most popul...
Send us a text In today's episode, I have an awe inspiring guest. Please meet Kathi Balasek, MA. Kathi is an educator, grief literacy communication coach, corporate consultant, university lecturer, speaker, podcast host, and widow advocate. She teaches professionals how to improve their grief literacy communication skills to best serve bereaved clients. I asked Kathi to be on the podcast, not only for her accolades, but for the compassion she brings to others during a major transition of wid...
Send us a text In this week's episode I talk about my experience with Meningitis and the financial impact to my family. I was in the hospital for 7 days as a child and the financial impact on my family was real. My mother was always a saver and put funds away for rainy days. #Saving #financialawareness #emergencyfunds Support the show Did you know you can now Help Us Continue Making Awesome Content for Listeners Affected by Grief! Thanks for listening! Follow us on twitt...
Send us a text In today's episode, I am reaching across the globe. I am excited to interview a like minded financial professional all the way from South Africa. Please meet Louis Van Der Merwe. Louis a fellow Certified Financial Transitionist® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Podcaster, Financial Planner, husband and father. Louis is unique in his practice as he specializes in working with clients who lost parents through death or divorce. Louis is a family man—happ...
Send us a text In this week's episode, I am delighted to meet and introduce a marvelous lady with a ton of wisdom, perspective and life experience. Please meet Liz Snyder, CFP®. Liz is a former therapist, turned financial planner. I love her gentle disposition and the way she helps clients, unlike any other financial planner I have met. Liz really dives deep with her clients, understanding how their emotions impact financial decisions. She goes well beyond simple financial matte...
Send us a text In today's episode, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing Carolyn Moor. Carolyn needs no introduction as she is very well known even before this podcast. She is the founder and director of the Modern Widows Club. Carolyn's organization grew out of 11 years of widowhood and the figuring out of resources on her own. Since 2011 her organization is known worldwide and helps widows immensely. Her website is https://modernwidowsclub.org/. This organization helps to...
Send us a text You heard that right!!! Hamsters and Grief. In this episode I speak about the opportunity cost of having a hamster in terms of children bearing the responsibility of caring for a living creature. The opportunity cost for my son to learn responsibility the hard way after losing Otis, the hamster, twice was roughly $1000. The experience was priceless. Luckily for us, Otis has 9 lives. The USDA estimates the true cost of raising a child in 2022 is between $15,438 an...
Send us a text On the heels of an amazing episode with Carolyn Moor of the Modern Widows club, I thought it would be appropriate to share Financial Steps for Widows. I break the steps into Emotional and Technical (Financial). Emotional.... As emotions drive decision making, I encourage all grievers to give themselves space to breathe. Let your emotions out. They are normal. Surround yourself with positive people and positive energy. Know your grief couns...
Send us a text In today's episode I dig headfirst into a very sensitive topic -- Marriage and Child Loss. I wanted to start out the podcast with a powerful resource for any parent facing child loss. https://marriagemissions.com/childs-death-changes-everything/ I also wanted to provide a list of tips from the resource above. You Become Different People after Child LossWork together in griefMost Couples Worry -- allow spaceHistory Together is importantDetermination to Stay TogetherYou’l...
Send us a text In this week's episode I touch on a subject matter not broadly discussed--Sibling Loss. I discuss this subject from the point of view of my own children and that of two dear friends who have also lost a child. This is a sensitive topic, which forced me out of my comfort zone. Through my discovery, there are clear signs siblings display during their struggles with grief. I located a fantastic website that discussed in detail the signs and impact on a sibling who has lost a brot...
Send us a text I have the pleasure of introducing Season 4 with a rockstar. Please meet Brian Thompson, JD, CFP® of Brian Thompson Financial (BTF). He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and tax attorney. Brian runs a truly unique firm, but I will get to that in a bit. Brian and I have both struggled as African American brothers in the financial industry. We have both persevered and achieved happiness in our own lives, which has translated to success for the clients we serve. Bria...
Send us a text In this week's episode, I have the pleasure of introducing a fellow griever and financial planner. Meet Dillon Cobb of Simply Human Advisors. Dillon's firm was born out of the tragic loss of his best friend. The loss was tragic and affected two families deeply with many repercussions. Simply listening to his story brought tears to my eyes. Dillon has a passion for helping others around him with a bit of southern charm. Once you hear him, you will understand his southern ...
Send us a text In week's episode, I have a special guest who has come from some very humble beginnings. Meet Elizabeth Ramos, MBA. Liz also holds a Master of Science in Management and Leadership. Liz is also a Certified Master Financial Coach. On today's episode Liz talks about her own struggles as a single mother amassing huge amounts of debt in order to support her and her son. Her story is both unique and inspirational as she describes the emotional rollercoas...
Send us a textIn this final episode of Season 3, I discuss "Surrounding Yourself with Good People." This very concept has taken me years and a lot of grief to truly understand. As I navigated the grief journey through baptism by fire, I realized that not everyone was a good fit for my life going forward. Through the process, I had to eliminate certain individuals who brought no positivity to my life. I also had to further engage those who could create exemplary influence in my plight to help ...
Send us a text In this week's episode, I speak about one of the most common by products of grief--Overwhelm, Fog and Confusion. I describe what Overwhelm, Fog and Confusion is, how to combat it and how to display empathy to someone in this situation. If you have ever experienced this daunting phase of grief you completely understand what I am talking about. If you like this episode, please feel free to subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where you listen to podcasts. Please feel free to...
Send us a text In this week's episode, I talk about a chance encounter in which I was asked to mentor a young boy some 20 plus years ago. This chance encounter forged into a brotherhood. The brotherhood turned into a situation where the young boy turned into a man and would pave the way for his brothers, creating better life circumstances. I am talking about my younger brother from another mother, Ronald Street. I was ignorant that I was always being watched as a young man...
Send us a text In this week's episode, I answer questions as it pertains to dependent employee group benefits after the passing of a loved one. As we enter the time of year where benefits are renewing, I thought this episode would be very helpful. The passing of a loved one can be daunting enough. Figuring out what to do, who to contact and options to chose going forward can be overwhelming. I discuss general areas of benefits and make them unambiguous. I also discuss who to co...
Send us a text In this episode I discuss "Dealing with Minutia". I share personal examples of things that have gone on in my life and I how I dealt with minutia, especially in times of grief. I also share mindsets when entering situations where minutia tends to sidetrack you. Also, I provide steps to deal with minutia and ways to either eliminate, or place it on the sideline. Here are the steps that I have researched and personally practice: 1. Choose your battles ...
Send us a text In this week's episode I get to showoff an online education program I built several years ago, "The Advisor's Guide to Grieving Clients." I built this program as a self-paced tool for advisors and non-financial types. The idea was born and came to fruition as advisors continuously sought me out for my expertise in working with grieving clients. Grieving clients also encouraged me to teach their advisors how to work with them comfortably. I had close friends who gave me a...
Send us a text A 3 part mini-series of tips for widows has been created due in part from a lot of feedback from good listeners like you. In this third episode, I focus on specific tips when seeking financial guidance from a professional. I provide information on what a fiduciary is, why it is important and how to find one. I also provide credentials of professionals who are certified in both financial planning as well as financial (life and money) transitions. I give commentary on aski...
Send us a text In today’s podcast I introduce Lisa McFarland. Lisa is a mother who has thrived through significant grief from child loss, divorce and caring for a special needs child. You will hear her story and how her experiences have shaped her life, inevitably to help others. Lisa allows us to witness her raw emotions and struggles as she has traveled to the other side of grief. She shares her real life journey as she continues to thrive through relationships, her career and passion for l...
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