"I Didn't Want to Survive" A Widow's Honest Story of Loss and Hope

"I Didn't Want to Survive" A Widow's Honest Story of Loss and Hope

Unthinkable with Kyle Bachus, Episode 13 In this episode of Unthinkable, Kyle Bachus sits down with certified grief educator and coach Bonnie Bellairs-Reed, whose husband, Michael, was killed in a sudden car accident after a lifetime together. Tune in to the episode to hear about:  • What happens in the first hours, days, and months after losing the person you love most—and why grief creates a mental fog that makes even simple decisions feel impossible  • How Bonnie went from knowing Michael as a five-year-old child to marrying her soulmate—and how that lifelong connection shaped her grief journey  • Why friends and family often disappear after the first few months of loss, and what grieving people actually need instead  • Why Bonnie left a successful 30-year healthcare leadership career and dedicated her life to helping others navigate grief  • What a grief coach says to someone who doesn't want to keep going—and why speaking that truth out loud can be the beginning of healing  • How grief changes your identity, your priorities, and your future—and how joy can eventually coexist with loss  • Why Bonnie believes no one should have to navigate grief alone Learn more about Bonnie Bellairs-Reed:  • Website: https://www.lifesunexpectedjourney.com [https://www.lifesunexpectedjourney.com/]  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lifesunexpectedjourney [https://www.instagram.com/lifesunexpectedjourney]  * TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniebbr [https://www.tiktok.com/@bonniebbr]  * Email: bonnie@lifesunexpectedjourney.com [bonnie@lifesunexpectedjourney.com] *********************************** About Unthinkable: Unthinkable is a podcast about the aftermath of incidents causing catastrophic injury or death, the experts who are called to serve when these accidents occur, and lessons that we can all learn and implement in our own personal lives.  Watch more episodes of Unthinkable: https://www.kylebachus.com [https://www.kylebachus.com] https://www.coloradolaw.net [https://www.coloradolaw.net/] Connect and learn more from your host, Kyle Bachus:  * Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker [https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker [https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker/]

Say Their Name: From Grief to Purpose with Michele Neff Hernandez

Unthinkable with Kyle Bachus, Episode 12 In this episode of Unthinkable, Kyle Bachus speaks with Michele Neff Hernandez, CEO and Founder of Soaring Spirits International and Author of “Different After You: Rediscovering Yourself and Healing after Grief and Trauma.” Tune in to the episode to hear about: * The pivotal moment that changed Michele Neff Hernandez’s life forever and inspired her to help others facing unimaginable loss * How grief reshapes your identity, and why it is impossible to return to the person you were before tragedy struck * The surprising role that community plays in healing after the death of a loved one, and how Soaring Spirits International comes to life * Why saying the name of someone who has died is so important * what most people get wrong about comforting the grieving * How trauma and grief intertwine, and what practical steps can help you rebuild after losing both a loved one and your sense of self Learn more about Michele Neff Hernandez: * Connect with Michele on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-neff-hernandez-8a9056b [https://www.linkedin.com/in/michele-neff-hernandez-8a9056b ] * Visit Michele’s website: http://micheleneffhernandez.com [http://micheleneffhernandez.com] * Visit Soaring Spirits International’s website: https://soaringspirits.org [https://soaringspirits.org/] * Visit Soaring Spirits’ YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@SoaringSpiritsInternational [https://www.youtube.com/@SoaringSpiritsInternational] * Follow Soaring Spirits’ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SoaringSpiritsInternational [https://www.facebook.com/SoaringSpiritsInternational] * Follow Michele on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/micheleneffher [https://www.instagram.com/micheleneffher] *********************************** About Unthinkable: Unthinkable is a podcast about the aftermath of incidents causing catastrophic injury or death, the experts who are called to serve when these accidents occur, and lessons that we can all learn and implement in our own personal lives. Watch more episodes of Unthinkable: https://www.kylebachus.com [https://www.kylebachus.com] https://www.coloradolaw.net [https://www.coloradolaw.net] Connect and learn more from your host, Kyle Bachus: * Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus] * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc] * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker [https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker] * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker [https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker]

Navigating College with Disabilities, featuring Professor Jenna Gonzalez

Unthinkable with Kyle Bachus, Episode 11 In this episode of Unthinkable, Kyle Bachus speaks with Professor Jenna Gonzalez. Jenna Gonzalez is a proud University of Florida Alum who now serves as the Director of the Disability Resource Center and Adjunct Professor at the College of Education, teaching classes on disability. Tune in to the episode to hear about: * Professor Gonzalez’s personal journey into her career, emphasizing the importance of specialized education and professional support for students with disabilities * Cypress Hall at the University of Florida, a uniquely designed dormitory that provides universal accessibility, independent living, and care for students with disabilities * The impact of traumatic injuries on family dynamics * The importance of respite care and family support Learn more about Professor Jenna Gonzalez: * Email: DRC@ufsa.ufl.edu [DRC@ufsa.ufl.edu] * Collect with Professor Gonzalez on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-gonzalez-55491b1ab [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenna-gonzalez-55491b1ab] *********************************** About Unthinkable: Unthinkable is a podcast about the aftermath of incidents causing catastrophic injury or death, the experts who are called to serve when these accidents occur, and lessons that we can all learn and implement in our own personal lives. Watch more episodes of Unthinkable: https://www.kylebachus.com [https://www.kylebachus.com] https://www.coloradolaw.net [https://www.coloradolaw.net] Connect and learn more from your host, Kyle Bachus: * Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus] * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc] * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker [https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker] * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker [https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker]

Behind the Scenes of Truck Crashes & Investigations with Expert Scott L. Turner

Unthinkable with Kyle Bachus, Episode 10 In this episode of Unthinkable, Kyle Bachus speaks with Scott L. Turner, Principal and Chief Consultant at Truck Accident & Incident Experts, LLC. Tune in to the episode to hear about:  * The importance of proper training, qualifications, and compliance with federal regulations for commercial truck drivers to prevent accidents  * The key role Scott’s firm plays in investigating truck crashes beyond police reports, focusing on driver hiring, retention, and company liabilities  * Practical advice on staying safe around big trucks and reporting unsafe truck driver behavior using DOT numbers and the Safer system Learn more about Scott L. Turner:  * Visit Truck Accident & Incident Experts, LLC’s website: http://www.truckingexpertwitness.com [http://www.truckingexpertwitness.com]  * Connect with Scott on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-l-turner-55234117 [https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-l-turner-55234117] *********************************** About Unthinkable: Unthinkable is a podcast about the aftermath of incidents causing catastrophic injury or death, the experts who are called to serve when these accidents occur, and lessons that we can all learn and implement in our own personal lives.  Watch more episodes of Unthinkable: https://www.kylebachus.com [https://www.kylebachus.com] https://www.coloradolaw.net [https://www.coloradolaw.net/] Connect and learn more from your host, Kyle Bachus:  * Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker [https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker [https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker/]

Investigating Catastrophic & Wrongful Death Cases with Medical Toxicologist Dr. Bill Boroughf

Unthinkable with Kyle Bachus, Episode 9 In this episode of Unthinkable, Kyle Bachus speaks with Dr. Bill Boroughf, a medical toxicologist with Toxicology Associates, located in Denver, CO. Tune in to the episode to hear about:  * Dr. Boroughf’s career path, the role of toxicologists, and the impact of substances like alcohol and marijuana on forensic investigations  * The rigorous training required to become a medical toxicologist and the various fields where such professionals can work, including academic institutions, poison control centers, and forensic investigations  * The challenges of determining alcohol levels postmortem, addressing issues such as contamination, postmortem redistribution, and fermentation  * The complexities of marijuana impairment and the difficulties in establishing a standardized THC impairment level due to its fat-soluble nature and variable metabolism in the body  * The importance of medical toxicology, particularly in civil litigation cases involving catastrophic injuries or deaths where substance use may have played a role Learn more about Dr. Bill Boroughf:  * Connect with Dr. Boroughf on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-boroughf-9767337a/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/william-boroughf-9767337a/]  *  Visit Toxicology Associates’ website: https://toxicologydenver.com [https://toxicologydenver.com] * Subscribe to Dr. Boroughf's substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/billboroughf [https://open.substack.com/pub/billboroughf] *********************************** About Unthinkable: Unthinkable is a podcast about the aftermath of incidents causing catastrophic injury or death, the experts who are called to serve when these accidents occur, and lessons that we can all learn and implement in our own personal lives.  Watch more episodes of Unthinkable: https://www.kylebachus.com [https://www.kylebachus.com] https://www.coloradolaw.net [https://www.coloradolaw.net/] Connect and learn more from your host, Kyle Bachus:  * Connect with Kyle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylebachus]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc [https://www.linkedin.com/company/bachus-&-schanker-llc]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker [https://www.facebook.com/bachusschanker]  * Follow Bachus & Schanker LLC on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker [https://www.instagram.com/bachusschanker/]