I would love to hear from you! Send a text! In this episode, Toni sits down with Erica Richmond, author, speaker, and writing coach, for a powerful conversation about storytelling, grief, and writing from a place of safety. Erica is the founder of Open Sky Stories, the author of the Pixie Children’s Series, and the creator behind the forthcoming creative nonfiction manuscript Yelling at Dead People—a deeply honest collection of essays on grief, parenting, and survival after loss. Together, Toni and Erica explore how writing can be a tool for healing without re-traumatization, why small and imperfect stories matter, and how to create healthy boundaries around what we share, what we protect, and what we keep just for ourselves. This episode is a permission slip for anyone who’s ever said, “I want to write, but I don’t know where to start.” What You’ll Hear in This Episode Why writing doesn’t have to be “brave” to be meaningfulHow to begin writing gently—one sentence at a timeThe difference between hard writing and harmful writingWhy unfinished, imperfect stories often carry the most powerHow to decide what stories are meant to be shared—and which are notWriting through grief without reliving traumaHow Erica’s work on Yelling at Dead People reshaped her understanding of grief, parenting, and survivalThe truth about grief: it’s not linear, tidy, or predictable—and that’s normalKey Takeaway Your words matter. Your stories matter. And they deserve to exist—if nowhere else, then on a piece of paper.You don’t need a plan. You don’t need a book deal. You don’t even need three pages. Start with one sentence and let it lead you where it wants to go. Erica Richmond is an author, speaker, and writing coach who helps people tell their stories from a place of safety. She is known for writing what she calls “brave stories”—honest, vulnerable narratives that invite healing, connection, and self-understanding. Her upcoming manuscript, Yelling at Dead People, draws from more than a decade of writing through grief after the loss of her children’s father, offering readers a deeply relatable and compassionate look at mourning, parenting, and resilience. Connect with Erica Website Instagram & Social MediaFree Resource: Sign up for Erica’s newsletter to receive a Writing From a Place of Safety activityPrograms:The Courage to Write (on-demand webinar)One-to-one mentorships and group writing supportLet's create your transition gameplan: Book your discovery call You can find me at: Website Instagram Facebook Shock Limbo Re-Entry Sound of You
