The Light at the Other Side

Melissa Corrigan
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The Light at the Other Side

We are celebrating the light at the end of the tunnel of trauma and abuse and exploring the challenges along the way. My name is Melissa Corrigan, or simpIy ~m. I'm an adoptee, trauma survivor, Navy veteran, mom to LGBT teens, ally, advocate, wife, friend, and person. I have amassed a wealth of life experiences (with or without my consent), and I'm here to share valuable life lessons, wisdom, stories, and random pieces of information like great recipes and interesting works of art. If you're looking for partisan positioning, I lean to the left. The above paragraph should have let you know that. I believe every human being has the inherent right to dignity, safety, and freedom. Aside from that, I'm open to discussion and contemplation of all viewpoints. My writing can be found at Medium and includes essays on adoption, trans issues, parenting, parenting specifically LGBT kids, and more.

  1. The Family Tree

    JUN 7

    The Family Tree

    My apologies for our break last week! I got a wicked cold and was unable to record. I'm glad to be back, and discussing family trees. This particular episode discusses genealogy from the perspective of an adoptee. Melissa shares her personal experience diving into her genealogical history, highlighting the challenges and importance of understanding one's roots. The episode underscores the impact of family stories and the profound sense of loss adoptees can feel when disconnected from their biological history. Through anecdotes and reflections, she explores the transformative power of uncovering one's ancestry, the societal shifts influencing family dynamics, and the modern tools available for genealogical research. As always, follow my writing on Medium.com and my website: www.melissacorrigan.com Thank you for listening! ~m

    27 min
  2. Military Stories Pt. II [featuring the work of Brett Ferek]

    MAY 24

    Military Stories Pt. II [featuring the work of Brett Ferek]

    I am so unbelievably honored this week that I am able to share two pieces from one of the contributing writers of Served, Brett Ferek. Brett is an Iraqi war veteran who served in the Marine Corps. His writing is raw and poignant, relaying a range of emotions as he reflects on his experiences in the combat zone and life as a Marine and a veteran. Brett's work can be found here: https://medium.com/@brettthomasferek As we publish the works of veterans, we discover and explore the depth of emotion experienced by those who served in the United States armed forces. Be sure to join the Facebook group to get updates and chat with other listeners! Check out my website, www.MelissaCorrigan.com, to always be in the loop! If you are enjoying The Light at the Other Side podcast, consider a tip? Click here to buy me a coffee! Thanks for listening, and until next week... be well. ~m

    17 min
  3. Military Stories Pt I

    MAY 17

    Military Stories Pt I

    Discussion of military stories and experiences in the U.S. Navy, reflecting on the impact of 9/11 and the challenges faced by female sailors in the military. Impact of 9/11: "The day I decided to enlist, a pizza shop, a blue September sky, and the end of the world as we knew it. 9 11...." Challenges for Female Sailors: "I should have stuffed it already. And the angrier he got, the more I became acutely aware that this guy was about to hit me or throw something at me...." Don't forget to join the Facebook group for listeners: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198 Story 1: "The Day I Decided to Enlist" https://medium.com/the-memoirist/the-day-i-decided-to-enlist-7530367aa0c3 Story 2: "One Hand Covering My Ass, One Hand in a Salute" https://medium.com/@itsjustmelissak/one-hand-covering-my-ass-one-hand-in-a-salute-6e06e53be0b3 I’ve shared a lot about my military service, the good and the bad, and in the coming weeks I’ll be sharing some stories of brave men (and amazing writers) who have shared their perspective from the combat zone. You won’t want to miss these insightful, sometimes poetic, often heartwrenching, stories from the trenches. As always, if you’d like to contribute your story to the podcast, you can email me at thelightattheotherside@gmail.com or go to my website, Melissacorrigan.com, and contact me that way. I highly recommend you hop on Medium and head to the publication Served to check out more stories from veterans. Thanks for listening! ~m

    32 min
  4. Adoption: An Examination

    MAY 10

    Adoption: An Examination

    This week's episode features the work of Kali Fox-Jirgl, one of the contributing writers of Adoptere, my publication about, by, and for adoptees.

    29 min
  5. Parenting- It's All About the Ego

    MAY 3

    Parenting- It's All About the Ego

    Parenting... it's the hardest thing you'll ever do, but it can also be the most rewarding. We've all heard it before, but let's dig deeper and examine the role of Ego and how it plays into guiding a young life to adulthood. This is related to the following piece: https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/its-not-personal-it-just-is-what-it-is-f9751e98a06c?sk=e23467ae2dc1bed79007c87b67d67bf7 If you're following along, make sure to join the Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198 And one last announcement: I've launched a second podcast! Since we live in a capitalist hellscape, I did put the new one behind a paywall so I can continue to eat... but hey, it's only $5 a month! Check it out here: https://doessheshutup.substack.com/ Thank you for your continued support and for lending me your ears for 30-40 minutes a week. ~m

    38 min
  6. Leaving the Nest

    APR 26

    Leaving the Nest

    Join me for a sentimental journey, reflecting on the 19 years of parenting that leads up to a child flying the nest. The pieces I read in this episode can be found below. https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/just-slipping-through-my-fingers-7e6799fb5cae https://medium.com/age-of-empathy/adrift-the-spaces-in-between-3eb6c3854a6b Join our Facebook group and join the conversation: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198 Thank you for listening! ~m

    41 min
  7. Falling In Love With Life Again

    APR 19

    Falling In Love With Life Again

    Welcome to Season 2!! I'm so grateful for the listeners who have come back week after week. This week, we're talking about life; learning to embrace joy, and prioritizing ourselves as we set boundaries and define a new 'normal' for a life without chaos and drama. There IS light, and life, beyond the darkness. Join the Facebook group! https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198 Thanks friends, and as always, be well! ~m melissacorrigan.com

    26 min
  8. Episode 10: The Journey Back to Me

    MAR 29

    Episode 10: The Journey Back to Me

    This wraps up Season 1! If you've made it here with me, thank you!! This week we're exploring my journey of healing, going back to the core mission of The Light at the Other Side, and I'm extending an open invitation for you to join me! I've created a Facebook group for listeners of the podcast to discuss, meet, socialize, and help one another. The link to the group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/268440279538198/ I look forward to meeting you, and continuing on with Season 2. Thanks, and as always, be well, ~m

    22 min
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About

We are celebrating the light at the end of the tunnel of trauma and abuse and exploring the challenges along the way. My name is Melissa Corrigan, or simpIy ~m. I'm an adoptee, trauma survivor, Navy veteran, mom to LGBT teens, ally, advocate, wife, friend, and person. I have amassed a wealth of life experiences (with or without my consent), and I'm here to share valuable life lessons, wisdom, stories, and random pieces of information like great recipes and interesting works of art. If you're looking for partisan positioning, I lean to the left. The above paragraph should have let you know that. I believe every human being has the inherent right to dignity, safety, and freedom. Aside from that, I'm open to discussion and contemplation of all viewpoints. My writing can be found at Medium and includes essays on adoption, trans issues, parenting, parenting specifically LGBT kids, and more.

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