I Don't Know How You Do It

After her brother was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan in 2009, Annie Sklaver Orenstein was heartbroken and unmoored. Standing in the grief section of her local bookstore, she searched for guides on how to work through her grief as a mourning sibling — and found nothing. Annie shares how alone she felt in her grief, driving her to write Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief. We explore why sibling grief often goes unacknowledged and how siblings navigate the complex journey of mourning while their grief is frequently overshadowed by parental loss. The conversation delves into the unique challenges siblings face, from being expected to care for grieving parents to struggling with finding joy again. Annie shares personal insights about discovering her brother's journals, experiencing signs from beyond, and learning that it's possible to hold both grief and joy simultaneously. You'll learn: * The importance of gluten-free meatballs or a cozy throw * Why grief isn't a pie * What do about the aftershock of joy * Whether you should read your sibling's private journals or letters after they're gone * How you might recognize signs from your sibling and find comfort in unexpected places * And so much more Learn more about Annie: Annie's website [https://www.annieorenstein.com] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/anniesklaverorenstein/] Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]. Follow now! Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes [https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Taking-Memoir-Family-Dreams/dp/1681151103/ref=sr_1_4?crid=24BS05WTMHJ7K&keywords=breathtaking&qid=1701032747&sprefix=breath+taking%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-4] Music credit: Limitless by Bells

When my husband and started trying to have a baby, we never imagined our path to parenthood would include 25 fertility procedures, two gestational carriers, and multiple journeys to Guatemala. In this deeply personal episode, I share an excerpt of Breath Taking (what made it in and what didn't), about navigating years of IVF treatments, the complex emotions of working with a surrogate, and how failure after failure led us to completely reimagine what building our family could look like. This intimate story explores the unexpected ways hope can transform us, the definition of motherhood, and how sometimes Plan B becomes the story we were meant to live all along. From awkward dinner parties with potential surrogates to hormone shots on Amtrak, from the heartbreak of missing plus signs to the growing pull of international adoption, I learned that  sometimes our deepest disappointments can lead us exactly where we need to go. Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]. Follow now! Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes [https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Taking-Memoir-Family-Dreams/dp/1681151103/ref=sr_1_4?crid=24BS05WTMHJ7K&keywords=breathtaking&qid=1701032747&sprefix=breath+taking%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-4] Music credit: Limitless by Bells

In a world where most of us run from difficult conversations, Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider is running towards them.  A physician, science journalist, public health advocate, and acclaimed film producer, Shoshana brings her unique multidisciplinary approach to transforming how we understand end-of-life care. As the founder of EndWell and executive producer of Oscar-nominated documentaries like "Extremis" and "Endgame", she's leading a national movement to reshape conversations about mortality -- with radical bravery. Drawing from her personal journey caring for her father during his pancreatic cancer diagnosis and her professional work advocating for compassionate healthcare, she reveals how confronting mortality can help us live more meaningfully and how we can bring wonder, hope, and even joy to life's most challenging transitions. You'll learn: * How to start difficult conversations about end-of-life wishes with loved ones * The true role of palliative care and when to seek its support * Practical steps for becoming a better healthcare advocate * Ways to find meaning and purpose by reflecting on mortality * Strategies for supporting family members through serious illness * How to approach life's biggest transitions with radical bravery. Learn more about Shoshana: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/shoshanamd] Before We Go podcast [https://www.instagram.com/beforewegopodcast] EndWell [https://www.instagram.com/endwellproject] Shoshana's Website [https://www.shoshanaungerleider.com] EndWell Project [https://endwellproject.org]  Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]. Follow now! Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes [https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Taking-Memoir-Family-Dreams/dp/1681151103/ref=sr_1_4?crid=24BS05WTMHJ7K&keywords=breathtaking&qid=1701032747&sprefix=breath+taking%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-4] Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Sometimes our life experiences are preparing us for what comes next in ways we'd never imagine. That's what happened to Joanne De Simone, a former professional dancer who used lessons from her dance training to help her navigate the challenges of raising two children with complex needs -- one with a rare, life-limiting brain malformation and one with autism. Joanne is a graduate of Hunter College with degrees in dance and special education. After dancing professionally with companies including José Limón and Dianne McIntyre, she dedicated her life to teaching children with disabilities and supporting families. Joanne also became an advocate. She and her son, Sebastian, were instrumental in a legislative change allowing students with intellectual disabilities to participate in NCAA D3 intercollegiate sports. Joanne writes about all of it in her memoir, Fall and Recovery. Her writing has appeared in the Washington Post, Exceptional Parent Magazine, and the Rumpus, among other publications. She is a contributing author to “Barriers and Belonging: Personal Narratives of Disabilities.” Joanne has been featured in the Philadelphia Inquirer, on HuffPost Live, CNN, and GMA3.  You'll learn: 1. How your life experiences might intertwine in unexpected ways 2. The biggest lifeline in times of challenge 3. Strategies for maintaining your identity beyond just being a caregiver 4. Advice for advocating relentlessly and not taking "no" for a final answer. 5. Why unvarnished truth is way more useful -- and interesting -- than hearing from someone who's got it all figured out. Learn more about Joanne: Instagram: Facebook [ https://www.facebook.com/people/Special-Education-Mom/100063572109629/] Website [https://special-educationmom.com/] Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]. Follow now! Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes [https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Taking-Memoir-Family-Dreams/dp/1681151103/ref=sr_1_4?crid=24BS05WTMHJ7K&keywords=breathtaking&qid=1701032747&sprefix=breath+taking%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-4] Music credit: Limitless by Bells

Rare disease advocate Mackenzie Abramson spent more than 20 years searching for her own diagnosis, facing intense medical gaslighting along the way. She endured 30 surgeries, a mental health crisis, and endless battles to be heard and taken seriously by the medical establishment. Yet Mackenzie refused to be dismissed. She earned her master's in public health and went on to work on global health initiatives in Rwanda, Egypt, and on the COVID-19 response in the U.S. Turning her pain into purpose, Mackenzie now works at Global Genes, supporting the rare disease community. In this candid and inspiring conversation, Mackenzie shares her odyssey from medical disbelief to rare disease empowerment. She discusses the trauma of gaslighting, the importance of mental health advocacy, and how she manages to remain hopeful even in the face of immense challenges. Mackenzie's story is a testament to the power of unchosen resilience and the transformative impact one person can have. Key Takeaways: * You are the expert on your own health - trust your instincts and speak up for yourself * Don't wait to build your mental health toolbox, even before you think you need it * Two truths can coexist - you can feel gratitude and feel like "this sucks" at the same time * Finding your community is crucial, but you must also be willing to advocate for yourself * Resilience can be unchosen, but it can also empower you to do things you never imagined Learn more about Mackenzie: LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mackenzie-abramson] Instagram [https://instagram.com/the_kenzie_chronicles] Linktree [https://linktr.ee/mackenzie_abramson]  Rate, Review, & Follow on Apple Podcasts "This is my go-to podcast for inspiration and to discover new approaches to embrace the challenges in my life." If that sounds like you, please consider rating and reviewing my show [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]! This helps me reach more people -- just like you -- find strategies and insights to do the things that feel undoable. Click here [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226], scroll to the bottom, tap to rate with five stars, and select “Write a Review.” Then be sure to let me know what you loved most about the episode! Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/i-dont-know-how-you-do-it/id1668168226]. Follow now! Sign up for my newsletter and learn more about these remarkable stories at www.jessicafeinstories.com Order Jessica's memoir, Breath Taking: A Memoir of Family, Dreams, and Broken Genes [https://www.amazon.com/Breath-Taking-Memoir-Family-Dreams/dp/1681151103/ref=sr_1_4?crid=24BS05WTMHJ7K&keywords=breathtaking&qid=1701032747&sprefix=breath+taking%2Caps%2C169&sr=8-4] Music credit: Limitless by Bells