I Survived the Loss of My Mom and a Spinal Injury

Navigating life after a devastating spinal injury can feel insurmountable, yet it is entirely possible to discover a profound new sense of purpose. In this episode, Irene Weinberg welcomes Karen Olson, founder and CEO emeritus of Family Promise, to explore the beauty of resilience and the power of service. Karen shares her deeply personal journey of transforming the heartbreak of losing her mother at age twelve into a life dedicated to uplifting homeless families. She also discusses her inspiring new book, Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose, and how her recent spinal cord injury has deepened her spiritual perspective on compassion. Join us for a heartfelt conversation about how rupture can lead to rebirth, and how each of us can act as a North Star for someone else.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:How childhood loss, specifically the suicide of her mother, created a "hole in the heart" that simultaneously heightened Karen’s sensitivity to the suffering of others.The transformative power of a chance encounter with a homeless woman named Millie in Grand Central Station, which sparked the creation of Family Promise.How Family Promise’s innovative "rotation model" mobilizes local congregations to provide housing and community support to families experiencing homelessness.The profound shift in Karen’s healing journey that occurred when her father finally embraced her during a hospitalization, highlighting the power of connection over talk therapy.How Karen’s recent spinal cord injury served as a second "rupture," forcing her to reinvent her life again and deepening her spiritual perspective on resilience and vulnerability.WATCH ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-aqXGzd-sA&list=PL7judgDzhkAWmfyB5r5WgFD6ahombBvoh📚Meant for More: Following Your Heart and Finding Your Purpose - https://amzn.to/4uJb3zG---✨ Grief & Rebirth: Healing Resources & Tools ✨🎧 Irene's Books (Including a Free Audiobook!)They Serve Bagels in Heaven—Irene’s heartfelt story of love and life beyond.Listen Free on Audible as a First Time User: https://amzn.to/4dG4l4wGet the Paperback or Hard copy: https://amzn.to/3XrE995📚 Embrace Life’s Third ChapterGood to the Last Drop—A powerful anthology on aging with purpose: https://amzn.to/3VJgEa5🛍️ Healing & Self-Care PicksCurated books and essentials from Irene: https://www.amazon.com/shop/irenesweinberg📚 Grief & Rebirth BookshopBooks by podcast guests for healing & wisdom: https://bookshop.org/shop/griefandrebirth🎙️ Podcast & CommunityInspiring stories of transformation on the Grief and Rebirth website: https://griefandrebirth.com📱 Stay ConnectedSubscribe to Grief and Rebirth on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOSDru2EU1djRZaZxxFkMig?sub_confirmation=1Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irenesweinbergFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IreneSWeinbergTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@irenesweinberg🎥 Irene’s Spiritual Awakening StoryWatch how the podcast began: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0mJWKfg5PM🎙️ Be a Podcast GuestHave a story or healing work to share?Apply Here: https://ireneweinberg.com/be-on-the-podcast/📰 NewsletterGet updates, tips, and new episodes by signing up to the Grief and Rebirth Substack: https://substack.com/@griefandrebirth💖 Affiliate DisclaimerSome links may earn us a commission. We only share trusted, personally recommended resources.