Building a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From

The Story I Couldn't Find: Pride, Belonging, & Memoir w/ Jennifer Leigh Selig

“I grew up in a very small town in the 70s. So when I had my first girlfriend in high school, we didn't have a name for ourselves. We didn't even know the word lesbian. We found it in a dictionary…in our high school library. And we're like, ‘That's what we are.’" Your story could be exactly what someone else needs to hear. In this episode, in honor of Pride Month, Jennifer Lee Selig shares how memoir writing can help people process trauma, discover who they are, and transform difficult experiences into stories that bring meaning, healing, and connection. We discuss: * Writing through adversity * The role of community in healing * LGBTQ+ visibility and representation * Creativity as a resilience practice This conversation is full of wisdom for writers, caregivers, survivors, and anyone on a personal growth journey. To learn more about Jennifer’s books, courses, and events, visit jenniferleighselig.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to episodes with other authors, including Episode 53 [https://donnayferris.com/from-panic-to-peace-with-rita-zoey-chin/] with Rita Zoey Chin and Episode 29 [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/moms-memoirs-and-mental-health-with-mira-bartok/id1716530620?i=1000655282064] with Mira Bartok. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946]. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris]. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide] or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #PrideMonth #RepresentationMatters #MemoirWriting #LGBTQCommunity #Healing #Storytelling #Trauma

Laid Off? Here’s How to Heal, Rebuild, & Move Forward w/ Steve Jaffe

“So often conversations and coaching goes straight to, ‘Here’s how you update your resume. Here’s what you do with your LinkedIn profile.’ And there’s nothing that says, ‘Listen, you need to pause. You’re gonna feel some grief. It’s gonna hurt, and here’s how you get through it.” In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, author Steve Jaffe shares how losing a job impacts identity, mental health, relationships, and self-worth — and why the traditional “just update your resume” advice misses the point. Drawing from his book, The Layoff Journey, Steve explains how the seven stages of grief can help people process layoffs, regain confidence, and navigate career transitions with resilience, acceptance, and hope. In the episode, we discuss: * Why layoffs are rarely personal * 3 Things to Do in the Early Days * Healthy coping tools (like a gratitude practice) that actually help If you’re navigating a layoff, career transition, or burnout, this conversation will help you feel less alone. To learn more about Steve and his book, visit thestevejaffe.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #55 [https://donnayferris.com/when-gratitude-is-hard-with-eve-turek/] “When Gratitude is Hard” with Eve Turek and Episode #44 [https://donnayferris.com/mindset-matters-how-tami-adams-turned-job-loss-into-success/] “How Tami Adams Turned Job Loss Into Success.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946]. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris]. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide] or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #Layoff #CareerTransition #MentalHealth #JobLoss #Resilience #Podcast #BounceBackStronger #CareerAdvice #Healing #SteveJaffe #depression

Building a Life You Don’t Need to Escape From

“Maybe building a life we don’t need to escape from happens slowly — one mindful moment, one gentle choice at a time.” What would it look like to build a life you don’t constantly feel the need to escape from? In this new Bounce Back Stronger Reflections episode, host Donna Ferris shares a personal reflection on burnout, mindfulness, grief, anxiety, birdsong, and learning how to slow down long enough to notice what’s still beautiful. This episode is for anyone feeling overwhelmed, emotionally exhausted, or stuck in survival mode lately. We talk about: * Meditation and mindfulness * Reframing anxious thoughts * Healing after loss * Finding hope in small daily moments * And why birds may understand resilience better than we do If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #91 [https://donnayferris.com/letting-go-of-control-how-to-find-peace-when-life-feels-uncertain/] – “Letting Go of Control: How to Find Peace When Life Feels Uncertain.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946]. To provide feedback on this podcast or suggest topics, please email donna@donnayferris.com [donna@donnayferris.com]. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website [https://donnayferris.com/meditations/] and on Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris]. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide] or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #MentalHealth #Mindfulness #Healing #BurnoutRecovery #SelfCare #GriefHealing #Meditation #PersonalGrowth #Resilience #PodcastRecommendation #BounceBackStronger

Grief, Loss & Healing: Surviving the Unthinkable w/ Betsy Thibaut Stephenson

“I can’t spend the next 30 years of my life like this—that’s not a life.” In recognition of Mental Health Awareness Month, this powerful episode features Betsy Thibaud Stephenson, author of Blackbird, sharing her deeply personal experience of navigating unimaginable loss after the death of her son to suicide, along with multiple losses that followed. Instead of avoiding grief, Betsy fearlessly faced it head-on—writing in real time and speaking openly about loss, mental health, healing, and what it means to rebuild your life after everything changes. This conversation offers honest insight into the emotional reality of grief and practical ways to cope, process loss, and move forward—one small step at a time. In this episode, you’ll learn: * How to cope with grief and suicide loss * Why letting go of “what if” supports healing * The importance of allowing yourself to feel grief * How small steps can help you rebuild after loss * What to say to someone who is grieving If you’re grieving or supporting someone who is, this episode provides a way forward with compassion, clarity, and hope. To learn more about Betsy and her book, please visit blackbirdbetsy.com. If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to other mental health episodes, including Episode #52 [https://donnayferris.com/3-ways-to-lift-yourself-out-of-depression-with-garry-cosnett/] – “3 Ways to Lift Yourself Out of Depression with Garry Cosnett” or Episode #50 [https://donnayferris.com/why-talking-about-mental-health-builds-stronger-kids-with-sandra-lau/] “Why Talking About Mental Health Builds Stronger Kids with Sandra Lau.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here [https://www.amazon.com/Bounce-Back-Stronger-Finding-Purpose/dp/1736757946]. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website [https://donnayferris.com/meditations/] and on Insight Timer [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris]. The one mentioned in this podcast," Imagine it Working Out: A Hope Meditation," can be found here [https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris/guided-meditations/imagine-it-working-out-a-hope-meditation]. And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here [https://www.projecthealthyminds.com/guide] or contact your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366. #BounceBackStronger #GriefHealing #MentalHealthAwareness #SuicidePrevention #Resilience #Memoir #HealingJourney #DonnaYFerris #BetsyThibautStephenson #BlackbirdBook #GriefSupport #YouAreNotAlone #GriefAwareness #MentalHealth #HopeAfterLoss #GriefSupport #Healing#GriefSupport #SuicideLoss #HealingJourney #MentalHealthMatters

Letting Go of Control: How to Find Peace When Life Feels Uncertain

What if the key to peace isn’t controlling life… but letting go? In this short reflection episode of Bounce Back Stronger, I’m sharing a personal story from a quiet morning walk that turned into a powerful reminder: the only thing we can truly control is our own behavior. Inspired by the teachings of Pema Chödrön and the practice of mindfulness, this episode explores what it means to release attachment to outcomes, navigate uncertainty, and find steadiness when life feels ungrounded. If you’ve been feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or stuck trying to manage what’s out of your control, this gentle reflection offers a new way forward. You’ll learn: * Why letting go of control can actually bring more peace * A simple mindset shift to reduce stress and anxiety * How to stay grounded when life feels uncertain * A powerful mantra: Unbothered. Unbothering. Unbotherable. This episode is part of a new reflections series—short, personal insights I share every other week alongside guest conversations—based on what I’m learning and experiencing in real time. Take a breath, soften into the moment, and remember: peace and purpose are still available… no matter what happens.