Broken. Adjust. Heal...

Stephanie Shaffer
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Weekly

Broken. Adjust. Heal...explores what happens after life breaks us open. Host Stephanie Shaffer, MSW, LCSW shares lessons from a lifetime of personal and professional experiences with grief, illness, trauma, and loss — including hospice work, surviving a cardiac arrest, and caregiving for her husband through four cancers. This podcast is about resilience, growth, and learning how to adjust to what we cannot change. Be Resilient Institute presents Broken, Adjust, Heal...by Stephanie Shaffer. iamstephshaffer.com Resources: If you or someone you know needs support immediately, call 988 Podcast series co-created with Media Midwife Ahri Golden ahrigolden.com

Episodes

  1. Aug 9

    2. Embracing My Birth Defect

    In this deeply personal episode of Broken, Adjust, Heal, Stephanie shares her journey of growing up with a rare, life-threatening vascular birth defect called Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS).  Stephanie shares the emotional landscape of shame, invisibility, resilience, and connection. From early childhood memories of a leg brace and stares, to the quiet pain of feeling "different" yet unheard, she reveals how her experience ultimately became a source of empathy, purpose, and professional calling. Stephanie closes with practical guidance for listeners on how to identify their needs and take compassionate action on their own behalf. 5 Key Takeaways  (0:03:10) – A childhood memory of an orthotic brace marks the first time she realized she was different and became self‑conscious. (0:07:28) – She describes the duality of emotions—wanting to hide and wanting to belong—as a normal part of being human (0:17:27) – Stephanie explains living with profoundly rare Klippel–Trénaunay syndrome and feeling like an outsider while others treated it as "no big deal." (0:25:40) – She offers a simple, actionable three-step process: identify what you feel, name what you need, and ask how you can give that to yourself—reminding listeners that support like the 988 crisis line is always available.   Quote: "Two things can exist: I am sad and I am grateful. I am scared and I am brave." Be Resilient Institute presents Broken, Adjust, Heal...by Stephanie Shaffer.  iamstephshaffer.com   Resources: If you or someone you know needs support immediately, call 988   Podcast series co-created with Media Midwife Ahri Golden ahrigolden.com Connect with Stephanie: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Tiktok

  2. Aug 9

    1. Life Lessons from Death

    In this powerful opening episode, Licensed Clinical Social Worker and former hospice social worker. Stephanie Shaffer, shares formative experiences from the emergency room and hospice care that shaped her understanding of grief, loss, and the true meaning of support at the end of life. Through vivid stories of sudden and slow deaths, including the passing of her own grandfather, Stephanie offers compassionate insight into how we can show up for others—and ourselves—when it matters most.  5 Key Takeaways [0:00:51] – The purpose of the podcast Stephanie introduces Broken Adjust Heal as a space to explore grief, loss, depression, anxiety, and resilience through her own transformative life stories. [0:08:49] – The power of community versus isolation Witnessing one man leave the hospital alone and another surrounded by dozens of loved ones reveals how crucial a support system is during sudden loss. [0:12:41] – Build your support system before you need it We must invest in relationships and community when life is calm so they're there to hold us when life inevitably gets hard [0:15:25] – What the dying may need in order to let go A hospice patient's final breath comes only after her son's heartfelt words, showing how affirmation, love, and presence can help someone release. [0:21:10] – Release the pressure to "make it in time" Stephanie's experience with her grandfather's death reframes missing a final moment: it's ultimately about what the dying person needs, not our timelines.   Quote: "We need to develop our support system when things are well, so it's there for us when things go south—because they will." Be Resilient Institute presents Broken, Adjust, Heal...by Stephanie Shaffer.  iamstephshaffer.com   Resources: If you or someone you know needs support immediately, call 988   Podcast series co-created with Media Midwife Ahri Golden ahrigolden.com Connect with Stephanie: Website | Instagram | LinkedIn | Tiktok

  • 2 Episodes

Ratings & Reviews

About

Broken. Adjust. Heal...explores what happens after life breaks us open. Host Stephanie Shaffer, MSW, LCSW shares lessons from a lifetime of personal and professional experiences with grief, illness, trauma, and loss — including hospice work, surviving a cardiac arrest, and caregiving for her husband through four cancers. This podcast is about resilience, growth, and learning how to adjust to what we cannot change. Be Resilient Institute presents Broken, Adjust, Heal...by Stephanie Shaffer. iamstephshaffer.com Resources: If you or someone you know needs support immediately, call 988 Podcast series co-created with Media Midwife Ahri Golden ahrigolden.com

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