Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris Christopher Dale

On today's episode, I interview a truly driven and  philanthropic family man.  Please meet Mike Jackson.  I met Mike over a decade ago through our mutual love of competing on the basketball court. In our interview, you will hear his perspective  of making significant sacrifices for family. We also explore how our complicated (and grief driven) paths as black men has shaped and narrowed our focus as God-fearing fathers.  Mike is a dynamic man who chose to leave corporate America to become a successful real estate entrepreneur. Mike's decision came as a response to missing valuable family time. He is a terrific person who has dedicated his life to paying it forward by consistently seeking out mentorship to make others better.

I also share a special story about a member of the Orlando Magic organization who blessed me with guidance and mentorship during the early phases of my grief journey.  

Mike can be found at online at  Mikepjackson.com.  He can be found on YouTube at Mike Sells Orlando. 

If you are a client and need of assistance --- Lifeaftergrieffp.com
If you are an advisor and seek assistance with your clients --- Lifeaftergriefconsulting.com   

I would love to know how you feel about this and any other episode.   Would you mind leaving me a review on Apple Podcasts or Spodify?

Please note that his wraps up Season 2.  Season 3 will start again on July 13, 2022.  Thanks for listening!   

Did you know that volunteering is one of the most exhilarating ways to accelerate your progression through grief?

In this week's episode I talk about "Giving Back" as a source of healing for someone in grief.  It sounds like an oxymoron to even think about helping someone else while you deal with your own grief.  Studies have shown that there are definitive health benefits to giving back.   Volunteering is good for the mind and body.  Giving back through volunteering is a meaningful way to honor a loved one.  Volunteering is a way to take your mind off your own grief.  

I also list some examples of the volunteering I have participated in to gain the health benefits while in grief.  Finally, I provide some ways to access volunteering resources to help those processing their own grief.  

In this week's episode I talk about Hospice. I talk about the origins and the tremendous benefit enacted by Congress in the 1980s. Many folks are unaware that Hospice organizations offer bereavement services at no cost, even to those who have not utilized Hospice in the formal sense. Hospice specializes in the care of the dying as well as their families. Hospice is not looking to cure a terminal illness, but to make everyone more comfortable during the process.

Hospice is available 24 hours a day/7 days a week. Each family also gets the benefit of a team of specialists who provide the best possible care.  

I also talk about the numerous ways volunteers aid the professional hospice team comprised of medical professionals. The Hospice team is tremendous and more information can be found at Hospice.org. I can't say enough good things about Hospice. I have lived both sides of Hospice. My mother utilized the services of hospice as she was dying and I now give back to the organization through volunteering.   

In this week's episode, I decided to talk about terminal illnesses, including cancer, as it relates to parents delivering the daunting news to children. I use my own personal example of when my folks delivered the news of my mother's cancer diagnosis. I present this information to you from that of a high school senior's perspective. In my research I have discovered that the tools and tips I have garnered apply to just about any aged child.  During the podcast, I will discuss very specific tips on delivering the news, catering to the child and helping form a community of support around that child and family alike. I would be remiss if I did not credit The+ American Cancer Society for helping form my knowledge of the discussing Terminal Illness with Children. The specific website is Cancer.org. This is a very difficult topic and not often talked about.    

I would love to know how you feel about this and any other episode.  Would you mind leaving me a review on Apple Podcasts or Spodify.

If you are a client and need assistance --- LIfeaftergrieffp.com
If you are an advisor and assistance with your clients --- Lifeaftergriefconsulting.com      

In this week's episode I am going to discuss "Setting Healthy Boundaries", both as someone in grief and an advisor helping a client in grief. I am going to draw on my formal training and education as a hospice volunteer with regard to  the area of setting therapeutic boundaries. I am also going to draw on a few personal examples of how I realized my boundaries were becoming violated and how I reacted in the spirit of self preservation.
As an individual in grief you many not be as astute as you once were because you are dealing with a traumatic life-altering transition. Through my use of  examples and information, my hope is that you have a baseline of setting healthy therapeutic boundaries.

I am also going to leave you with concrete strategies going forward for "Setting Healthy Boundaries."

I will provide examples of violating our personal space.
I will provide  examples of how an advisor may unknowingly blur the lines of healthy boundaries.
I will provide examples of  consequences of poor boundaries.
Finally, I will leave you with strategies for maintaining healthy therapeutic boundaries.

Thank you for listening.  Thank you to the kind listeners who asked for this very episode titled "Setting Healthy Boundaries."

I would love to hear more feedback and suggestions for future episodes.  I would also love to interview more guests.

I would love to know how you feel about this and any other episode.  Would you mind leaving me a review on Apple Podcasts or Spodify.

If you are a client and need assistance --- LIfeaftergrieffp.com
If you are an advisor and assistance with your clients --- Lifeaftergriefconsulting.com      

In the winter of 2010, I received some alarming calls that my parents' home was being raided by the police. Consequently, I received this news the day I returned from my paternal grandmother's funeral. I had rented the home to older college students (late 20s with their parents' co-signing on the lease). This was a tough situation and long drawn-out. Although this situation was heart wrenching, it reinforced me to have the right team around me. The team for me at that moment in time was:  defense attorney, real estate attorney and deputy sheriff. I use my experience to then educate clients to have the right team around them. In my experience, the right client team is comprised of:  financial planner, insurance advisor, estate planning attorney, banker and accountant. I serve as my client's first point of contact and usually introduce my clients to their right team. I also find client team members who may be unique to their situation, such as the one I described above. I also keep in close contact with my client's team, and in some regards hold them accountable. I also use my experience to educate advisors in the value of having the right team in place for themselves and their clients. I recently had an advisor reach out to me requesting a defense attorney for a client. My job is not to be judgmental, but to serve my clients honestly, fairly and with my fiduciary hat.

Thanks for listening.

If you are a client and need assistance --- LIfeaftergrieffp.com
If you are an advisor and assistance with your clients --- Lifeaftergriefconsulting.com