The Power of Love Show TJ Jackson

On this episode of The Power of Love Show we are thrilled to have two extraordinary guests, Dr. Mekel Harris (returning guest!) and Janet Gwilliam-Wright, joining us to share their insights on mental health, grief and their groundbreaking work with Bloomwell Partners, LLC.

Dr. Mekel Harris received a B.A. in Psychology from Baylor University, M.A. in Psychology from Houston Baptist University, and a Ph.D. in Clinical/School Psychology from University of Houston. Further, she completed her pre-doctoral internship and two-year post-doctoral fellowship at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Since then, Dr. Harris has served in higher education, along with community- and hospital-based mental health programs. She currently works in private practice as a licensed psychologist and CEO of Harris Psychological Services, LLC, offering mental health support across the lifespan. Dr. Harris also provides training, education, and consultation to organizations around the globe, focused on an array of mental health themes. Finally, she is co-founder of Bloomwell Partners, LLC, a consulting firm that equips corporate entities with the skills necessary to afford grief-informed leadership and care within the workplace.
 
Throughout the past decade, Dr. Harris has presented at >30 domestic and international conferences and has been interviewed on several podcasts, with topics ranging from grief and loss to community mental health and trauma. In June 2016, she authored a memoir, Relaxing Into the Pain: My Journey Into Grief & Beyond. Throughout the past two years, Dr. Harris has created The Grief Anatomy Toolkit – an e-book and mini-course, an 8-week immersive online course, Re-Imagining Life After Loss, Mindful Grieving, a therapeutic curriculum for coping with grief and loss, Cortisol, Coping, & Conversation gathering, a 4-week gathering focused on the intersection of grief and the body, and Grieving with HOPE.
 
She currently serves as Vice President of the AIMHiTN board. In her personal time, Dr. Harris enjoys spending time with her family, traveling the globe, writing, volunteering in her community, and collecting all things butterflies.

Janet Gwilliam-Wright brings over twenty years of experience in leading large organizational changes and tackling complex policy issues. She is a prominent figure in the grief and loss community, having founded the Motherlove Project, a global platform for motherless daughters. Janet holds a Master of Arts and Public Administration from Queen's University. She resides in Ottawa, Ontario, with her partner Meghan and their two daughters.

Together, Dr. Harris and Janet co-founded Bloomwell Partners, LLC, whose mission is helping organizations build compassionate, grief-informed cultures. Bloomwell equips managers and HR professionals with the skills needed to support employees dealing with grief and loss, using both evidence-based and innovative approaches.

Learn More About Dr. Mekel Harris:
Instagram: @DrMekel
Website: MekelHarrisPhD.com
Facebook: Mekel Harris, PhD, NCSP, PMH-C
Book: ‘Relaxing Into the Pain’ -https://a.co/d/7sv9Txv

Learn More About Janet Gwilliam-Wright:
Instagram: @JanetGwilliamWright & @MotherLoveProject
Website: MotherLoveProject.com

Learn More About Bloomwell Partners, LLC:
Instagram: @BloomwellPartners
Website: GrowWithBloomwell.com

Learn More About DDJF:
Website: DDJF.org
Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation
Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
X: @DDJFoundation

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On this episode of The Power of Love Show we welcome special guest, Lou Pennisi.

Lou Pennisi is a grief educator and illustrator.

After a five-year period of cumulative losses, Lou found herself struggling with her grief. She felt like every time she came up for air, she was hit with another loss.

Feeling isolated and alone after her mother passed, she decided to create an Instagram account where she would write about her feelings of grief, loss and regret and create an illustration to go with each post. It was never meant to be anything more than a place to pour her heart out, but it became so much more.

Through sharing her vulnerability, the page grew quickly, and Lou could see that she was helping others by sharing. This, in turn, helped her healing process. Not long after, Lou became a grief educator, studying under David Kessler.

She still works as an illustrator but has turned her focus more toward helping others in grief.

Her mission is to normalize conversations about grief, educate society about the impacts of grief and trauma and create safe spaces for grievers—with no judgment and no timelines!

Her Instagram account, @The_Grief_Project, is a place where grievers meet, interact and witness each other's grief.

Learn More Lou:
Instagram: @The_Grief_Project
Facebook: The Grief Project
TikTok: @The_Grief_Project
Pinterest: @Lou_Pennisi

Learn More About DDJF:
Website: DDJF.org
Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation
Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
X: @DDJFoundation

Leave a podcast review:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846

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Can’t make the live-stream? You can always watch our syndicated interviews later on YouTube or Facebook!

Prefer to listen as a podcast? Click here:
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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepowerofloveshow/support

On this episode of The Power of Love Show, TJ & Taj answer your questions!

Tune in to hear their insights on all things grief, loss, hope, healing & more!

Learn more about DDJF:
Website: DDJF.org
Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation
Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
Twitter: @DDJFoundation

Leave a podcast review:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846

Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6X6zGAPmdReRrlLO0NW4n6?si=koXehESfSrSwA-zWi2vf-w

Can’t make the live-stream? You can always watch our syndicated interviews later on YouTube or Facebook!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Nd1HTnbaI

Like Our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/884355188308946/

Join our Official Facebook Group full of supportive community members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500933326745571/?ref=share_group_link

Visit the DDJF official website: http://www.ddjf.org/

Follow us on Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation

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On this episode of The Power of Love Show we welcome special guest, Alexx Friesen, BA, CCLS, CTP.

Alexx Friesen is a Certified Child Life Specialist providing support to children with a family member on hospice or facing end of life.

She also works in private practice, supporting infants, children and youth in her community who are facing medical challenges, end of life, grief and bereavement.

With nearly 10 years of experience, Alexx’s passions lie in the areas of pediatric oncology, palliative care as well as death, dying and grief.

Alexx is a published children’s book author who hopes to publish more books related to challenging medical experiences children and families face.

She lives in Toronto with her husband and 2 year old Labrador retriever, Juno.

Learn More Alexx:
Instagram: @ChildLifeAlexx
X: @ChildLifeAlexx

Children’s Book - ‘All About the Intensive Care Unit’: https://a.co/d/doE8wZm

Learn More About DDJF:
Website: DDJF.org
Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation
Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
X: @DDJFoundation

Grant Garry’s Film:
‘Meet Me Where I Am’
Pre-order on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CZVXX6T3?starsLeft=1&ref_=cm_sw_r_cso_sms_apin_dp_7GJ708CMTRZAN2WW7ZV1_1
Pre-order on AppleTV: https://tv.apple.com/us/movie/meet-me-where-i-am/umc.cmc.85dnfjr8cojvhckyc37iqher

Leave a podcast review:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846

Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6X6zGAPmdReRrlLO0NW4n6?si=koXehESfSrSwA-zWi2vf-w

Can’t make the live-stream? You can always watch our syndicated interviews later on YouTube or Facebook!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Nd1HTnbaI

Like Our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/884355188308946/

Join our Official Facebook Group full of supportive community members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500933326745571/?ref=share_group_link

Visit the DDJF official website: http://www.ddjf.org/

Follow us on Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation


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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepowerofloveshow/support

On this episode of The Power of Love Show we welcome special guest, Nicki Elischer.

Nicki Elischer is a child life specialist, clinical counsellor, and art therapist in Vancouver BC. When working as a child life specialist at a local pediatric hospital, she supported children and families to cope with hospitalization, illness, grief, and loss.

There she met her colleague Amanada Lascelle, and together they created With Love Grief Gifts, a company that creates therapeutic sympathy gifts for children and teens. It was important to them to address the cultural taboo of talking about death with children, and to point out the importance of acknowledging and caring for children’s grief.

Using their knowledge of child development, grief and loss, each gift they design meets children’s need for information, comfort, and ritual. They hope to change the way we respond to children’s grief by offering information, resources, and a tangible way to support children and youth experiencing grief and loss.

Learn More Nicki:
Website: WithLoveGriefGifts.com
Instagram: @With.Love.Grief.Gifts
Facebook: With Love • https://www.facebook.com/withlovegriefgifts
Pinterest: With Love Grief Gifts • https://www.pinterest.ca/withlovegriefgifts/

Learn More About DDJF:
Website: DDJF.org
Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation
Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
X: @DDJFoundation

Leave a podcast review:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846

Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6X6zGAPmdReRrlLO0NW4n6?si=koXehESfSrSwA-zWi2vf-w

Can’t make the live-stream? You can always watch our syndicated interviews later on YouTube or Facebook!

Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Nd1HTnbaI

Like Our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/884355188308946/

Join our Official Facebook Group full of supportive community members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500933326745571/?ref=share_group_link

Visit the DDJF official website: http://www.ddjf.org/

Follow us on Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation

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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepowerofloveshow/support

On this episode of The Power of Love Show we welcome special guest, Angila ‘Angie’ Hanson.

Angie shares her story of immense loss — a journey marked by the deaths of her one-year-old son, Garret, her husband, Jack, her brother, Seth, and her sister-in-law, Brooke. 
In her own profound grief, Angie Hanson found solace in a mission to change the narrative around grief, to bring light into the darkest moments, and to offer genuine support to those walking the path of loss.

She founded Butterflies + Halos in 2022, a greeting card company that seeks to bridge the gap between sympathy and understanding, between condolence and companionship This greeting card company helps create a space for the griever so they feel less alone and show up intentionally for a friend and also help you as a friend send hope into your grieving friend's heart & home. These cards aren’t here to “fix” the grief, but to show you care and you are sharing in the grief journey with your friend.  

Angie also is publishing her first book “Chapters of a Resilient Heart” that will be published in May 2024. 

She also co-hosts a podcast “From Loss to Light Podcast” touching on all aspects of losses and how people have found their light.  

Learn More Angie:
Website: ButterfliesAndHalos.com
Instagram: @ButterfliesAndHalos
Facebook: Butterflies + Halos

Etsy: Butterflies + Halos • https://www.etsy.com/shop/butterfliesandhalos?load_webview=1&bid=qxpAwJoDb4slYBbTtbDzRTS9t9ZR

Pre-Order Book: ‘Chapters of a Resilient Heart’ • COMING MAY 2024: https://chaptersofaresilientheart.myshopify.com/

Shop Cards: https://butterfliesandhalos.com/collections/new-releases

Podcast: ‘From Loss to Light’ • https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/from-loss-to-light/id1695980324

Learn More About DDJF:
Website: DDJF.org
Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation
Facebook: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
LinkedIn: Dee Dee Jackson Foundation
X: @DDJFoundation

Leave a podcast review:

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846

Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/show/6X6zGAPmdReRrlLO0NW4n6?si=koXehESfSrSwA-zWi2vf-w

Can’t make the live-stream? You can always watch our syndicated interviews later on YouTube or Facebook!

Prefer to listen as a podcast? Click here:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846

Subscribe to our YouTube channel:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2-Nd1HTnbaI

Like Our Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/884355188308946/

Join our Official Facebook Page full of supportive community members: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500933326745571/?ref=share_group_link

Have you subscribed to our Podcast?

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/fr/podcast/the-power-of-love-show/id1282931846

Spotify Podcasts : https://open.spotify.com/show/6X6zGAPmdReRrlLO0NW4n6?si=bhNl9GjJRxKXUvTdwZme6Q

Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9wb3dlcm9mbG92ZS5saWJzeW4uY29tL3Jzcw

Visit the DDJF official website: http://www.ddjf.org/

Donate to DDJF (501c3): https://www.flipcause.com/hosted_widget/hostedWidgetHome/MTIxODI3

Check Out DDJF Merch: https://my-store-10253433.creator-spring.com/?#

Join the Dee Dee Jackson Facebook Group:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1500933326745571

Follow us on Instagram: @DeeDeeJacksonFoundation • https://instagram.com/deedeejacksonfoundation?utm_medium=copy_link

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Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepowerofloveshow/support