Undertow

Kelly Campbell's life changed forever when her best friend Emma was killed in a car accident in 2007. What followed was years of unprocessed grief, trauma, and pushing forward—building a successful career while quietly struggling beneath the surface.In this episode of The Shadows We Cast, Jenn sits down with leadership and legacy coach Kelly Campbell for an honest conversation about grief, burnout, identity, and the hidden emotional currents that shape our lives.Kelly shares how the loss of her best friend, followed by the sudden death of another close friend years later, forced her to confront the grief she had spent years avoiding. Together, Jenn and Kelly explore why grief remains such a difficult topic in our society, how loss can impact our mental health long after the initial event, and what it means to find purpose and meaning after life's hardest transitions.This conversation is a powerful reminder that grief isn't something to fix or rush through—it is something to honour, navigate, and ultimately integrate into our lives.In this episode, we discuss:Grief, trauma, and post-traumatic stressBurnout and the hidden cost of always pushing forwardIdentity loss and major life transitionsThe connection between grief and mental healthMeaning-making and honoring those we've lostSupporting others through loss and difficult seasons of lifePractical ways to create space for healingAbout Kelly CampbellKelly's journey into mental health advocacy was shaped by profound personal losses. After losing her best friend Emma in a 2007 car accident, and later her good friend Susan in 2024, Kelly discovered her calling in supporting others through life's most challenging transitions.Following a 16-year career in federal public service, Kelly left government in 2024 to focus on guiding individuals, families, and organizations through personal transformation and lasting change. She currently serves as Senior Manager of Stakeholder and Government Relations for Matthew Perry House while operating her own legacy coaching practice.As an ICF-Credentialed Leadership and Legacy Coach, Kelly combines executive expertise with deep emotional intelligence, believing that legacy flows through personal, familial, and systemic dimensions—like water carving enduring channels across landscapes. She joined Bereaved Families of Ontario – Ottawa Region first as a volunteer in 2023, then as Board Director in 2025, channeling her experiences into support for others navigating grief.Connect with KellyLinkedIn: Kelly CampbellWebsite: kellycampbell.caInstagram:  @kellycampbell.ca Host/Producer/Writer/Director: Jenn St JohnEditor: Andrew SchillerWebsite: www.jennstjohn.caFollow along:Instagram: @jenn_stjohnLinkedIn: Jenn St JohnIf this episode spoke to you, share it with someone who might need to hear it too.Subscribe, leave a review, or just send a little love—your support helps these conversations reach the people who need them most.