The premier podcast for creatives, artists, and entrepreneurs on the go who want to crack the code to digital marketing and make more money online.
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"Helping those in grief (and the advisors who support them) navigate financial matters."In 2008, at the peak of the recession, I lost my mother to cancer in August and my father to a broken heart in November. In 2010, my grandmother passed away after a stroke. Then a heart wrenching experience in 2012 of losing my oldest child.I became a financial planner in 2003 during the process of helping my parents in their declining health. In 2011, three years after my parents passed, I became a CERTI ...
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Grab a seat around the campfire, crack open a frosty beverage, and get ready to Number Your Stories. We’re all about self-growth through reflection and connection. Each episode we share raw, powerful, and often hilarious tales as we chart our path forward. We also connect with inspiring guests who share invaluable lessons as they illuminate and guide our path along the journey to becoming the best version of ourselves.
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10: Fatherhood, Summertime, and the Kingdom
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Father's Day just ended, and Summer is here! But we're heading off for an epic family adventure, so we're keeping this short and sweet. Join us to talk about how our example can help bring our kids closer to knowing God. Also, how is your role as a father vital to the long-term success of a free nation. We'll be back in a few weeks with more awesom…
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09: Fireside w/ Joe Strobaugh - Strength, Fatherhood, and Army Shenanigans
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Today my good buddy, Joe Strobaugh, grabs a seat around the campfire. Like me, Joe spent several years as an Army Engineer serving out of Ft. Bragg. Even years after leaving uniform, Joe brings that same level of passion and focus to all parts of his life. Join us as we talk through the nature of what it means to be strong and how that applies to f…
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In the final episode of Season 6, I bring a life of trauma full circle. I talk about being grateful in spite of all that life has thrown my way. The people in my life have carried me to the promise land of Life After Grief. Honorable mention includes: my wife, my sons, Fr. Leo and my family and friends. We will return in the fall. Have a great summ…
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Relatable & Remarkable Guest, Caroline Schafer
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27:26
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In this week's episode, I have someone who knows all of my podcasts very intimately. Meet Caroline Schafer. She is a friend and also happens to be my podcast editor. Caroline is very similar to many of my podcast listeners through our shared experiences. We share experience with childhood trauma. We also share experiences through the lens of parent…
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Today's episode tackles the common misconception that being nice is synonymous with being good. We're bombarded with messages of "go with the flow" and avoid conflict at all costs, but is this truly reflective of the values we hold dear as Christians? Join us as we delve into the heart of what it means to be good and righteous in a world that often…
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In this week's episode I go into detail about Trauma Response. More specifically, the six trauma responses. I talk about the details of each response and provide personal examples. I was asked to somewhat normalize the explanation, to help others feel at ease when understanding their trauma responses. I hope you like this week's episode. See on nex…
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In this week's episode I talk about the idea of a Bliss List. I did not create the idea or resource, but I do use it in practice for myself and with clients. Basically, a Bliss List is an idea list of things you would like to do or accomplish if time or money were no object. I like to keep things simplistic and remove barriers to happiness in life.…
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07: Fireside w/ Christopher Grate - Manliness, Art, and the Universe
1:06:35
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Grab a seat around the campfire for our very first Fireside chat. In this episode, we sit down with Christopher Grate, one of the most unique and multifaceted people I've ever met. By day, Christopher is a marketing and social media manager. By night, he's an entrepreneur with a deep passion for the arts, scent design (like colognes/perfumes), and …
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In this week's episode, I talk all about Self Care. I have spoken loosely about self care over the last few seasons. I was recently asked, "How Do I Self Care?" I go into detail about the self care wheel I use. I also provide a ton of examples with regard to each part of the self care wheel. I hope you enjoy this week's episode. Cheers & see you on…
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06: Fasting -A Weapon for Spiritual Warfare
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You are in the midst of a vicious and ongoing battle between good and evil. And while Christ has already won the war, darkness still struggles against the light. As we prepare for spiritual combat, we must learn the tactics of the past to understand the ancient weapons at our disposal. In this episode, we focus on spiritual weapon of fasting. What …
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In this week's episode, I share some listener feedback. I was simply wowed at the folks who reached out to me to share their trauma experiences. I was equally amazed how certain therapies, including EMDR really helped them. Some of the listeners I spoke to talked about the gravity of their trauma such as: abuse, molestation, death, addiction, racia…
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Certified Divorce Coach-Debra Doak, CDC®, CDFA®
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Have you ever heard of a Certified Divorce Coach? I recently met and had the pleasure of interviewing Debra Doak. Debbie is a Certified Divorce Coach. She helps with those hard decisions concerning marriage, divorce, money and life. My initial exposure to Debbie was based on a presentation she did about Financial Abuse. And boy, was I blown away wi…
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05: Fitness Mindset: Interview w/ Jamie Speiser- Founder & CEO of Precision Fitness & Spa
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Today is the day you FINALLY get fit. You're going to get back in the gym and start eating right. But how do you know what to do? From IG influencers to fad diets and crazy exercise routines - everywhere you turn seems like an endless & confusing maze of information. Ya know, tomorrow seems like a better time... Seems familiar? In this episode, we …
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04: Evangelization - Not Just for Cardboard Signs and Megaphones
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Today's society would have you believe that "Evangelization" is a bad word, contriving images of a crazy old guy holding up a sign about the impending end of the world and shouting at you from the street corner. So what's a Christian man to do? In this episode, we talk through the different ways you can be a "salty" light to the world without busti…
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Depression is a subject not often talked about by men. In this episode, I will talk about my experience with depression. I also talk about how I identified periods in my life where I experienced depression. With a ton of support and resources at my fingertips, I have a steady flow of positivity that helps me deal with extreme hardship and trauma. Y…
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Emotional Effects of Racism and Discrimination
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Greetings and welcome to episode 4 of Season 6-Racism and Discrimination I decided to reboot a previous episode on the subject. As I have gotten older, and maybe wiser, I understand the traumatic effects of dealing with years of unsolicited biases due to the color of my skin. In this episode, I describe some horrible experiences I have had with rac…
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Welcome back to Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris episode 2. In this episode, I go into further detail about trauma. Listen in as I provide a personal example as well as the emotional and physical effects. Trauma is not something we create, but something from which we recover. I also provide a link, which details the dramatic effects on both th…
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Welcome back to Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris. We have made it to Season 6 with a tremendous amount of support. This season is all about Trauma. On the heels of releasing a lot of information at the tail end of Season 5, I thought a natural extension would be a deep dive into trauma. As trauma can very emotional and triggering, I am going t…
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Emotional Effects of Trauma Through a Personal Example
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Greetings and welcome to Episode 3. In this week's episode, I use a personal example of a traumatic event to demonstrate its emotional effects. I share the many emotional and physical effects of trauma. I share what trauma looks and feels like. My hope is to normalize trauma and shed light on the subject. I hope you like this week's episode. Cheers…
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In today's episode I want to talk about trauma therapy. Specifically, one that I have experienced called EMDR. EMDR is short for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing. Let me describe EMDR in layman’s terms. Imagine walking past a grassy area and have no emotional response. Imagine, I walk by that same grassy area and my heart begins to race, I…
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03: Inside the World of Publishing: Interview w/ Kristin Bentley - Founder & CEO of EP House
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Ever wanted to write a book but have no idea how the world of publishing works? In this episode, we talk with Kristin Bentley, owner and CEO of the international award-winning boutique publishing house - EP House. Kristin shares her behind-the-scenes insights about the publishing world, walks us through the process of finding a publisher, and highl…
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02: Wargaming Romance - Marriage Meetings w/ Military Precision
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This St. Valentine's Day, show your wife that you care by treating your relationship with the same respect and intentionality that you give to work. In this episode, we plan our relationship with the precision of a military operation and discuss the nuts & bolts of a "Marriage Meeting." We take you step by step through the process and detail what y…
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01: Become an Author - Deserts, Snake Oil, and Gatekeepers
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Discover the gritty details of navigating the publishing world as a first-time author, from battling writer's block to demystifying the ins and outs of the industry. Join us around the campfire for an authentic conversation as we peel back the layers from a #1 best-selling author's journey. INTRO MUSIC: Stock Music provided by espatine, from Pond5 …
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00: Introduction to The Number Your Stories Podcast
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So much of a man's growth takes place while sitting around the campfire, talking stuff out with other men they respect, and really thinking about life. So if you’re a Christian man looking for reflection and connection as you grow closer to the person you were made to be – this is the place for you. Grab a seat around the campfire, pour yourself a …
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Allow Me to RE-Introduce Myself-- Real Talk with Life After Grief Chris
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Allow me to Re-Introduce myself..... I have been leading up to some very traumatic stuff that has happened in life. I thought that I should lead up to the next podcast (where I fully disclose) with my initial introduction before I could no longer hide what transpired. Below is what I used to introduce myself on my inaugural podcast. I am both a fin…
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Child Abuse & Infidelity: My Story, Pt. 2
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Coming on the heels of the first of a 3 part mini-series. In last week's episode, I shared a surprise that would lead me down a dark path of discovery, highlighting significant traumas early in my life. I've been told that my willingness to share will help others. If you are wondering if I received help dealing with these traumas----the answer is y…
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Child Abuse & Infidelity: My Story, Pt. 1
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21:25
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I have been leading up to some heavy stuff this season. I have also been told that my willingness to share my experiences with trauma could ultimately help others with theirs. I am opening up about some of the traumas of my past. Infidelity and Child Abuse are often taboo topics. Unfortunately, I have trauma from both as they overlapped most of my …
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Today I had the extreme pleasure of interviewing and learning from Megan Kopka, CFP®, CRPC®. Megan is wonderful financial planner with a ton of experience in both life and career. Megan is also a widow who had the daunting experience of being a caregiver for her husband, while raising two children. Her ability to not only make it through the experi…
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In today's episode I talk about grief reminders. I want to be clear that grief reminders are different than grief triggers. I explore the technical definition by the Mayo Clinic. I also use a personal example of a grief reminder that I recently experienced. I also mention free resources for Grief Trigger support. If you like this episode, please fr…
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In today's episode I have the distinct pleasure of RE-Introducing Carolyn Moor. Although she needs no introduction, Carolyn was the first to introduce me to the idea of Super Survivors. She is well known as the founder and director of the Modern Widows Club. Today, I have the honor of picking Carolyn's brain in terms of what made her a Super Surviv…
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Super Survivors Volunteer! Super Survivors Volunteer!! Super Survivors Volunteer!!! I have spoken in previous podcasts about the power of volunteering. In this podcast I talk about 10 definitive benefits of volunteering. Furthermore, Super Survivors embrace volunteering in the format of striving to help others. Here are the 10 benefits mentioned ab…
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Child Abuse & Infidelity: Pt. 3 - My Brother's Story
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In this final episode of season 5, I interview my brother, Mike. His experiences coupled with mine bring our shared experience full circle. Forgiveness is the key. Looking at the bright side of life does make things better. We survived with a lot of trauma along the way. Our hope is that by talking about the hard stuff, it allows just one other per…
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In this episode we explore Brain Fog. Simply stated, Brain Fog is the brain's way of protecting itself. Brain Fog clouds memory function during times of grief, trauma or extreme stress. Specifically, concentration and mental acuity are affected. I noted having a hard time juggling normal tasks without feeling overwhelmed. I also seemed to forget th…
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In today’s podcast I have the distinct pleasure of interviewing Lisa McFarland. If you recall I interviewed Lisa in Season 3. Lisa is a mother who has thrived through significant grief from child loss, divorce and caring for a special needs child. In our conversation today, we talk at length about her uncanny ability to become a Super Survivor. Dur…
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Super Survivor Donna Kendrick CFP®, CDFA®
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I am pleased to introduce Super Survivor Donna Kendrick. Donna was widowed in 2013. Remarkably, she made Super Survivor status in her plight to make life easier for other widows after her own experience. Donna found life after grief when she found new love and remarried in 2022. She now enjoys an expanded family with six children. Donna focuses on …
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This episode is all about Super Survivors. A Super Survivor is an individual that faces tragedy head on, turns it on its head and makes use of the tragedy in a manner that helps others. I talk about a book, which I will refer to periodically this season---Resilience: The Science of Mastering Life’s Greatest Challenges by Steven M. Southwick & Denni…
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The Mindset of Resiliency: Inherited or Acquired
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11:28
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As we begin Season 5 with a bang, I have encountered so many strong, enduring and growth minded folks. In this episode I speak about Resilience. The power of resilience can be inherited and/or acquired. In my case, I gained resilience through a combination of both. Throughout this season you will hear me bring up the concept of Super Survivor. I wa…
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In the final episode of Season 4, I would like to extend my complete gratitude to all guests, listeners and supporters of the podcast. In my wildest dreams, I would never have imagined that my experience, let alone my podcast, would be able to touch so many folks. I have been told over and over that my podcast has given life, eased the burden, prov…
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Learning from the Grief Smart Professional, Kathi Balasek, MA
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In today's episode, I have an awe inspiring guest. Please meet Kathi Balasek, MA. Kathi is an educator, grief literacy communication coach, corporate consultant, university lecturer, speaker, podcast host, and widow advocate. She teaches professionals how to improve their grief literacy communication skills to best serve bereaved clients. I asked K…
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In this week's episode I talk about my experience with Meningitis and the financial impact to my family. I was in the hospital for 7 days as a child and the financial impact on my family was real. My mother was always a saver and put funds away for rainy days. #Saving #financialawareness #emergencyfunds Support the Show. Did you know you can now He…
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Cheers from South Africa with Louis Van Der Merwe, CFP®, CeFT®
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In today's episode, I am reaching across the globe. I am excited to interview a like minded financial professional all the way from South Africa. Please meet Louis Van Der Merwe. Louis a fellow Certified Financial Transitionist® and CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER®, Podcaster, Financial Planner, husband and father. Louis is unique in his practice as he…
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Therapist Turned Financial Planner, Elizabeth Snyder, CFP®
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In this week's episode, I am delighted to meet and introduce a marvelous lady with a ton of wisdom, perspective and life experience. Please meet Liz Snyder, CFP®. Liz is a former therapist, turned financial planner. I love her gentle disposition and the way she helps clients, unlike any other financial planner I have met. Liz really dives deep with…
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In today's episode, I have the distinct pleasure of introducing Carolyn Moor. Carolyn needs no introduction as she is very well known even before this podcast. She is the founder and director of the Modern Widows Club. Carolyn's organization grew out of 11 years of widowhood and the figuring out of resources on her own. Since 2011 her organization …
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You heard that right!!! Hamsters and Grief. In this episode I speak about the opportunity cost of having a hamster in terms of children bearing the responsibility of caring for a living creature. The opportunity cost for my son to learn responsibility the hard way after losing Otis, the hamster, twice was roughly $1000. The experience was priceless…
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On the heels of an amazing episode with Carolyn Moor of the Modern Widows club, I thought it would be appropriate to share Financial Steps for Widows. I break the steps into Emotional and Technical (Financial). Emotional.... As emotions drive decision making, I encourage all grievers to give themselves space to breathe. Let your emotions out. They …
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In today's episode I dig headfirst into a very sensitive topic -- Marriage and Child Loss. I wanted to start out the podcast with a powerful resource for any parent facing child loss. https://marriagemissions.com/childs-death-changes-everything/ I also wanted to provide a list of tips from the resource above. You Become Different People after Child…
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Sibling Loss, Effects and the Far Reaching Impact
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In this week's episode I touch on a subject matter not broadly discussed--Sibling Loss. I discuss this subject from the point of view of my own children and that of two dear friends who have also lost a child. This is a sensitive topic, which forced me out of my comfort zone. Through my discovery, there are clear signs siblings display during their…
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Brian Thompson, JD, CFP ®--The Mission Driven Man serving a new generation of LGBTQ+, mission-driven entrepreneurs
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I have the pleasure of introducing Season 4 with a rockstar. Please meet Brian Thompson, JD, CFP® of Brian Thompson Financial (BTF). He is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ and tax attorney. Brian runs a truly unique firm, but I will get to that in a bit. Brian and I have both struggled as African American brothers in the financial industry. We have b…
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Introducing Dillon Cobb of Simply Human Advisors
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In this week's episode, I have the pleasure of introducing a fellow griever and financial planner. Meet Dillon Cobb of Simply Human Advisors. Dillon's firm was born out of the tragic loss of his best friend. The loss was tragic and affected two families deeply with many repercussions. Simply listening to his story brought tears to my eyes. Dillon h…
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Debt Survivor Turned Coach, Elizabeth Ramos
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In week's episode, I have a special guest who has come from some very humble beginnings. Meet Elizabeth Ramos, MBA. Liz also holds a Master of Science in Management and Leadership. Liz is also a Certified Master Financial Coach. On today's episode Liz talks about her own struggles as a single mother amassing huge amounts of debt in order to support…
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