234: The Next Best Version of You — Finding Joy After Loss with Stacie Shifflett

Life will hand you things you never asked for. The question is, who do you become on the other side of it? Stacie Shifflett has walked through unimaginable loss, major life transitions, and seasons that could have easily left her stuck in bitterness, anger, and grief. After losing her son, navigating the end of a 28-year marriage, and now facing a new health challenge that has changed her independence, Stacie has learned something powerful: peace is something you have to protect, practice, and choose. This conversation dives into what it really means to keep moving forward when life knocks you down, how to make peace with things you cannot change, and why healing often begins with taking radical responsibility for your own journey. Stacie shares how emotional triggers can become guideposts, why joy is not something you achieve but something you allow, and how small, intentional steps can help you become the next best version of yourself. Through grief, disruption, anger, and uncertainty, Stacie's story is a reminder that life may change around you, but you still have the power to choose how you show up. Guest Bio Stacie Shifflet is a transformation guide, author, entrepreneur, and the creator of Modern Consciousness®, a clarity-first framework that helps people understand their inner landscape, break behavioural patterns, and intentionally choose what comes next. After building companies, acquiring a $50M software company with no upfront capital, rolling out the first IBM desktops in a major federal agency, and navigating profound personal loss, Stacie rebuilt her life and identity through deep self-inquiry and emotional honesty. Her bestselling book, Treasure Map to Joy™, brings her journey to life through a transformational parable and reflects her practical, courageous approach to turning awareness into real, lasting change. You'll hear About Why making peace with loss is part of moving forward How grief can resurface long after the hardest season has passed Why emotional triggers can become a path toward healing The power of taking radical responsibility for your own journey How small steps help you become the next best version of yourself   Chapters 00:00 Welcome and Episode Introduction 02:30 Losing Her Son and Choosing to Move Forward 06:00 Giving Yourself Grace Through Grief 08:30 Making Peace With Loss 14:00 Divorce, Anger, and Starting Over 18:00 Becoming the Next Best Version of Yourself 22:15 Calming Emotional Triggers and Reclaiming Your Power 30:30 Stacie's Book, Treasure Map to Joy 33:15 Facing a New Health Challenge With Grace 39:00 Holding Space for Someone Who Is Struggling 40:30 Final Reflections and Key Takeaways Chuck's Challenge This week, take one small step toward the next best version of yourself. It doesn't have to be dramatic. It could be choosing not to react to something that usually triggers you. It could be asking for help. It could be letting yourself feel what you've been avoiding. Or it could simply be finding one moment of joy in the middle of a hard day. Because as Stacie shared, peace does not happen by accident. It comes when you choose to protect it, practice it, and take your power back one step at a time.   Connect with Stacie Website: Modern Consciousness Facebook: Modern Consciousness | Sarasota FL Instagram: Modern Consciousness®️ (@modernconsciousness) LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stacie-shifflett-7b5a8922/ Connect with Chuck Check out the website: https://www.thecompassionateconnection.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chuck-thuss-a9aa044/ Follow on Instagram: @warriorsunmasked Join the Warriors Unmasked community by subscribing to the show. Together, we're breaking stigmas and shining a light on mental health, one story at a time.