6. Beyond Grieving with Tesse Akepki episode artwork

EPISODE · Oct 24, 2025 · 52 MIN

6. Beyond Grieving with Tesse Akepki

from Surrendering to the Signs · host Laura Gates

In this expansive and heartfelt conversation, Laura reconnects with her dear friend and fellow guide, Tesse Akpeki, to explore how we cultivate resilience in times of chaos, grief, and transformation. Tesse shares her deeply personal journey, shaped by global roots, professional pivots, and profound loss and how a serendipitous solo trip to Ghana became a turning point in her healing.Together, Laura and Tesse reflect on how disruption can become a doorway to presence, purpose, and inner strength. They talk about the power of self-compassion, the need to honor our own timeline for grieving, and how unexpected change can become the very ground of growth.This episode offers a powerful reminder: we can navigate even the most unpredictable storms with courage, curiosity, and care for ourselves and for one another.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Tesse’s multicultural background and journey from Nigeria to the UKThe impact of sudden loss and the complexity of traumatic griefHow a leadership retreat that didn’t happen became a soul pilgrimageWhat it means to be a “global citizen” shaped by many culturesTesse’s evolving work in resilience, wellbeing, and leadership in academiaThe story behind her Future Focused Wellbeing & Resilience initiativeThe culture shock of returning home to find peace in Ghana’s pace and presenceA powerful hospital story that demonstrates how loving culture can transform careThe difference between anticipatory grief and traumatic griefThe practice of intentional noticing and writing down daily moments of gratitudeBioTesse Akpeki is a governance professional, lawyer, coach, and podcast host who has dedicated her life to helping individuals and organizations thrive in complex times. A true global citizen, Tesse blends legal expertise, leadership training, and deep spiritual insight to guide others through transformation. She is the host of Tesse Talks and Tesse Leads.Resources & LinksConnect with LauraFacebook https://www.facebook.com/surrenderingtothesignsWebsite www.surrenderingtothesigns.comDownload your free copy of Seven Keys to Surrendering to the Signs Home | Laura Gates | Surrendering to the Signs | Spiritual PodcastTesse’s podcasts: Tesse Talks and Tesse LeadsMan’s Search for Meaning and Hope by Viktor FranklinMusic FeaturedThe music in each episode of Surrendering to the Signs has been carefully curated to enhance the episode, below is a list of all tracks featured.List of MusicSaggie, Steven Beddall & Jenny Penkin - Easy to LoveJimit - Forever Instrumental Version Hans Johnson - Maasai Ran Raiten - Pain ManagementSeth Parson - Lekki CTRL S - Colours of Your Heart Instrumental VersionSoft Sand - MEOD The Ladyproducer - Born Chic LUMINAR - As We GoPodcast co-produced, edited, and sound designed by Daniel De Souza https://www.danieldesouza.com

In this expansive and heartfelt conversation, Laura reconnects with her dear friend and fellow guide, Tesse Akpeki, to explore how we cultivate resilience in times of chaos, grief, and transformation. Tesse shares her deeply personal journey, shaped by global roots, professional pivots, and profound loss and how a serendipitous solo trip to Ghana became a turning point in her healing.Together, Laura and Tesse reflect on how disruption can become a doorway to presence, purpose, and inner strength. They talk about the power of self-compassion, the need to honor our own timeline for grieving, and how unexpected change can become the very ground of growth.This episode offers a powerful reminder: we can navigate even the most unpredictable storms with courage, curiosity, and care for ourselves and for one another.What You’ll Hear in This Episode:Tesse’s multicultural background and journey from Nigeria to the UKThe impact of sudden loss and the complexity of traumatic griefHow a leadership retreat that didn’t happen became a soul pilgrimageWhat it means to be a “global citizen” shaped by many culturesTesse’s evolving work in resilience, wellbeing, and leadership in academiaThe story behind her Future Focused Wellbeing & Resilience initiativeThe culture shock of returning home to find peace in Ghana’s pace and presenceA powerful hospital story that demonstrates how loving culture can transform careThe difference between anticipatory grief and traumatic griefThe practice of intentional noticing and writing down daily moments of gratitudeBioTesse Akpeki is a governance professional, lawyer, coach, and podcast host who has dedicated her life to helping individuals and organizations thrive in complex times. A true global citizen, Tesse blends legal expertise, leadership training, and deep spiritual insight to guide others through transformation. She is the host of Tesse Talks and Tesse Leads.Resources & LinksConnect with LauraFacebook https://www.facebook.com/surrenderingtothesignsWebsite www.surrenderingtothesigns.comDownload your free copy of Seven Keys to Surrendering to the Signs Home | Laura Gates | Surrendering to the Signs | Spiritual PodcastTesse’s podcasts: Tesse Talks and Tesse LeadsMan’s Search for Meaning and Hope by Viktor FranklinMusic FeaturedThe music in each episode of Surrendering to the Signs has been carefully curated to enhance the episode, below is a list of all tracks featured.List of MusicSaggie, Steven Beddall & Jenny Penkin - Easy to LoveJimit - Forever Instrumental Version Hans Johnson - Maasai Ran Raiten - Pain ManagementSeth Parson - Lekki CTRL S - Colours of Your Heart Instrumental VersionSoft Sand - MEOD The Ladyproducer - Born Chic LUMINAR - As We GoPodcast co-produced, edited, and sound designed by Daniel De Souza https://www.danieldesouza.com

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6. Beyond Grieving with Tesse Akepki

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This episode was published on October 24, 2025.

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In this expansive and heartfelt conversation, Laura reconnects with her dear friend and fellow guide, Tesse Akpeki, to explore how we cultivate resilience in times of chaos, grief, and transformation. Tesse shares her deeply personal journey, shaped...

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