The Path to Wholeness

Grief, Presence, and the Long Work of Love: A Conversation with Kelly Edmondson

Grief changes the shape of a life. In this episode of The Path to Wholeness, I sit down with my longtime friend Kelly Edmondson to talk about what happens after loss. Kelly is a nurse, a mother, and the founder of The Memory Box, a yearlong grief support service created after the unexpected death of her son, Darius. We talk about the early days of heartbreak. The silence that follows the funeral. The way time stretches and ordinary days suddenly ache. We explore what shared grief can look like in real life and why ongoing presence matters more than quick comfort. This conversation is for grieving parents. It is for friends who want to show up well. It is for therapists, Spiritual Directors, and companions who walk alongside loss. And it is for anyone who senses that grief is not something to solve, but something to carry with careful intention. On The Path to Wholeness, we explore the art and practice of Spiritual Direction and living a life from the inside out. Grief is part of that path. Love and loss belong in the same story. I’m honored to share this conversation with you. In This Episode, We Explore: * What the first months after loss can really feel like * Why support often fades too quickly * The power of shared grief and steady community * How timing matters in grief care * What presence looks like when nothing can be fixed * How grief reshapes love over time About Kelly Edmondson: Kelly Edmondson is a Florida-based nurse, mother, and the founder of The Memory Box, a grief support company created after the unexpected death of her son, Darius. Drawing on both her personal experience of profound loss and her years of bedside nursing, Kelly created The Memory Box to provide ongoing care to grieving families during the first year after a loved one’s death. Each memorial delivery is thoughtfully timed to arrive on significant dates such as birthdays, holidays, and anniversaries, offering continued presence when grief often resurfaces most sharply. Kelly’s work centers shared grief, communal care, and the belief that love continues long after the funeral ends. Learn more at: 🌿 https://www.thememorybox.co

Tarot in Spiritual Direction (w/guest Brian Relph)

In this episode of The Path to Wholeness, I sit down with fellow Spiritual Director Brian Relph to explore Tarot as a contemplative practice within Spiritual Direction—how the cards can become a doorway into conversation with the Divine, as a practice of presence and listening. I first met Brian at the Haden Institute, where he was introducing Tarot to Spiritual Direction trainees. Having discovered Tarot myself at fifteen, I had long felt its power to awaken spiritual insight but struggled to integrate it fully into my direction work. Brian’s seamless, reverent approach revealed how the two worlds—symbolic image and sacred listening—can beautifully inform one another. Together we reflect on the ethics and discernment of using Tarot in direction sessions, what it means to treat the cards as prayer, and how image and Spirit meet in the sacred conversation between director and directee. This one’s a long listen — what can I say, we were on a roll. Once Brian and I started talking about Tarot and the language of image, time ceased to exist. So pour a cup of something good, settle in, and join us in the deep end. In this episode: * Why Tarot belongs in the context of Spiritual Direction * How to discern when and how to bring Tarot into a session * Ethical and soulful considerations when using Tarot with directees * Tarot as a contemplative, prayerful practice rather than prediction * The meeting place of symbol, psyche, and Spirit Takeaways: * A new lens on Tarot as a living language of presence * Practical insights for integrating Tarot into your own spiritual practice * Inspiration to approach symbol and image as sacred conversation partners Mentioned in this episode: * The Haden Institute – hadeninstitute.com [https://www.hadeninstitute.com] * Rider Waite Smith Tarot deck - Wikipedia [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rider–Waite_Tarot] Upcoming courses: Praying the Tarot with Bethany Ward (Spring 2026) – Sign up at bethanysward.com [https://bethanysward.com/event-calendar] Window to the Soul: A Tarot Certification for Spiritual Directors, Therapists, and Dreamworkers with Brian Relph (Spring 2026) - Sign up at soulgrowthcoaching.com [https://soulgrowthcoaching.com/tarot-practitioner-training/] Connect: Follow Bethany’s reflections, writings, and upcoming offerings at bethanysward.com [https://bethanysward.com] Find Brian Relph at soulgrowthcoaching.com [https://soulgrowthcoaching.com]

We Don’t Speak the Same Language, But We Mean the Same Thing: A Conversation on Science and Spirit (w/guest Carrie Elvey)

What happens when a Naturalist and a Spiritual Director sit down to talk about wonder, language, and the nature of knowing? This episode is a playful and sincere conversation about what it means to pay attention—whether through scientific observation or spiritual practice—and how awe might be the bridge between worlds. We talk about the ways science and spirit overlap, how intuition and skepticism can live in the same body, and why smelling the roses is not just a cliché but a legitimate act of spiritual formation. There’s a slight pop on the mic line now and then—apologies for that. But the spirit of this episode felt too alive not to share. Meet Carrie Elvey: Carrie is a naturalist, blacksmith, and Creator of Darwin’s Dream, where she shares her love of natural history and art. Connect with Us: Carrie’s work: darwins-dream.com [https://www.darwins-dream.com] Bethany’s offerings and reflections: bethanysward.com [https://bethanysward.com] 🎧 Follow & Share: If this episode left you thinking, smiling, or seeing your backyard differently—share it with a friend. And if you're curious about your own Path to Wholeness, visit my site to learn how we might work together.

The Role of Ritual in Healing and Wholeness (w/guest Jennifer Zona)

Episode Overview: In this episode, we explore the role of rituals in healing and wholeness. Joining me is Jennifer Zona from La Loba Soul Support, who shares her expertise in Spiritual Direction and psycho-spiritual coaching. We discuss how rituals can provide structure and meaning, especially during chaotic times, and how they facilitate connection, integration, and personal transformation. We explore: The definition and significance of rituals across various cultures and spiritual practices. The psychological benefits of engaging in rituals, including stress reduction and fostering stability. Practical examples of rituals that listeners can incorporate into their daily lives, such as morning intention setting and gratitude practices. The concept of ritualizing dreamwork, referencing Robert A. Johnson's Inner Work. How rituals aid in integrating life experiences and the journey from wounds to the sacred. The invitation of Spiritual Direction and how rituals support the process of wandering within our experiences. Mentioned in this episode: Inner Work by Robert A. Johnson – A valuable resource for exploring the role of dreamwork in personal transformation. Timestamps: 54:13 - Introducing Jennifer Zona 4:44 - Defining Rituals 12:05 - The Psychological Benefits of Rituals 19:41 - Practical Examples of Rituals 26:05 - Ritualizing Dreamwork (with reference to Johnson's Inner Work) 31:40 - Rituals of Integration 35:17 - The Invitation of Spiritual Direction (including a quote from Joseph Campbell) 40:10 - Conclusion Note: There is a brief notification sound early in the episode. Our apologies. Thank you for your understanding! Connect with Jennifer: La Loba Soul Support Connect with me: Instagram: @bethany.s.ward Email: bethany@bethanysward.com [bethany@bethanysward.com] If you’re enjoying the podcast, please consider sending me your thoughts and sharing it with your friends! Your support helps me continue to bring thought-provoking discussions and spiritual insights.

Image as the Language of the Soul (w/guest Heather Berndt)

In this conversation, I’m joined by Spiritual Director and artist Heather Berndt. We talk about how the soul speaks through images and how those images guide us into the next stage of our lives. We begin with the image of recovery (AA and Al-Anon) as a shared image that invited us into transformation. From there, we explore personal symbols, dreams, archetypes, and creative practices that help us hear the soul more clearly. We reflect on a quote from Meister Eckhart: "When the soul wants to experience something, it throws out an image in front of her and then steps into it." This idea shapes the heart of our conversation. Heather shares her process, Mappa Divina©, and how it helps people engage with the images that show up in their lives. Whether those images come through art, intuition, or unexpected moments, they often carry meaning. We talk about how to listen, how to trust, and how to work with what arises. Topics We Cover: The image of recovery as an entry point to inner work Meister Eckhart and the soul’s movement toward experience The difference between collective and personal imagery Dreams, symbols, and recurring patterns as soul language The archetype of the Mystic Working with images through art, journaling, Tarot, and collage Heather’s approach to Mappa Divina© and midlife discernment About Heather Berndt: Heather is a Spiritual Director and visual artist who helps others connect with their inner wisdom through image-making and creative reflection. She is the creator of Mappa Divina©, a contemplative process rooted in trust, curiosity, and soul listening. You can find her work at https://www.heatherberndt.com [https://www.heatherberndt.com] Connect with Me: You can find my offerings, writing, and updates at bethanysward.com. Subscribe to the show, share this episode with someone it might serve, and leave a review if you’d like to support the work. Mentioned in This Episode: Mappa Divina© Meister Eckhart’s quote SoulCollage® Archetypal Spiritual Direction Practices for working with image and intuition