Transforming Grief into Growth: How to Egage Compassionate Leadership and Healing through Connection

Unfazed Under Fire Podcast

Ashley Jones, CEO of the Memento Foundation, knows firsthand the depths of grief and the incredible journey to finding purpose within it. After the devastating loss of her daughter to spinal muscular atrophy, Ashley transformed her anguish into a lifelong mission to support families grappling with terminal illnesses. In our conversation, Ashley shares how her unique background in science and creative fields equipped her to revolutionize the way society handles grief, offering free services and workplace training that foster empathy and understanding. Her story is a powerful reminder of how pain, when confronted with courage, can lead to profound healing and growth.
We discuss the essential yet challenging practice of "sitting in the suck" of grief, a concept that encourages facing discomfort head-on to truly heal. Our society often avoids pain, opting instead for distractions, but Ashley emphasizes that embracing grief can unlock our innate ability to self-heal. Drawing on trauma-informed approaches, we explore how listening to our bodies can guide us through emotional recovery, challenging outdated grief models and advocating for an authentic connection with our emotions. Ashley introduces initiatives like community support and corporate care programs, designed to bridge societal gaps in empathy and grief education.
Leadership is redefined through the lens of compassion and mindfulness as we explore the qualities that make for truly impactful leaders. Ashley and I discuss how connecting with our emotions, as well as understanding unprocessed grief, can enhance resilience and empathy, preventing burnout. We also delve into the transformative potential of trauma-informed care and the vital role of connection in overcoming trauma and grief. As we conclude, we celebrate the power of compassionate leadership and the ongoing journey of healing, urging leaders and individuals to embrace their emotional landscapes with courage and love.

To connect with Ashely and Her Work, use these links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleynicolejones/

https://www.momentofoundation.org/

[email protected]

Unfazed Under Fire Podcast - Host: David Craig Utts, Leadership Alchemist

Our podcast is also available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music

To access additional platforms, follow this link:
https://www.unfazedunderfirepodcast.online

Chapters

1. Transforming Grief into Growth: How to Egage Compassionate Leadership and Healing through Connection (00:00:00)

2. Transforming Grief Into Healing and Hope (00:00:11)

3. Sitting in the Suck (00:11:46)

4. Embracing Pain and Finding Purpose (00:25:00)

5. Developing Compassionate and Mindful Leaders (00:30:09)

6. Healing Trauma Through Connection (00:44:44)

7. Healing Tools for Grief and Trauma (00:50:37)

8. Leading With Love (01:00:28)

9. Inspiring Leadership Wisdom and Legacy (01:06:40)