Grounded in Wisdom - "Out of the Rubble" Podcast

Join Annalyn Cruz as she has a heartfelt and open conversation with Kelli Kombat. Kelli is a Professional Career Coach (PCC) and certified DEI coach. She has had an expansive career, from HR at Ford Motor Company to Virginia radio personality. Kelli is the owner of R.I.C.H., LLC and is the host of the Career Kombat podcast.  In this episode, Kelli tells us how she met and married someone who transformed her vision of the future, and lost him suddenly only months after she learned she was pregnant. In that “rubble moment” of loss and deep depression, a single sentence in the book “What to Expect When You’re Expecting” changed her life. Even though she wasn’t sure how at first, she got back up and discovered strength she never knew she had. Kelli shares more of her journey forward to find a life full of abundance and immense love. Be inspired and listen in on a touching discussion of surviving loss, shaping your life direction, and the choice to rise back up– no matter how hard we get pushed down.  Be sure to check out Kelli’s podcast Career Kombat, and visit kellicoach.com. You can contact her at [email protected].

Join Annalyn Cruz in a compelling conversation with Rachel Irvine-Halliday, a seasoned servant leader and DEI expert. With over 25 years of experience in crafting high-performing and inclusive teams, Rachel brings a wealth of insights focused on the employee experience, organizational culture, and team performance. In this episode, Rachel opens up about her personal "rubble moment" when burnout and workplace bullying led her to take a medical leave. During this period, she was diagnosed with ADHD and autism, a transformative journey that reshaped her approach to life. Rachel shares valuable insights into recognizing signs of burnout, the importance of therapy, effective time management, and the empowerment found in self-advocacy. Tune in to discover how Rachel's resilience and commitment to self-discovery have not only helped her cope with challenges, but also allowed for her to shift into living a more purposeful and flourishing life.  Grounded in Wisdom is proud to present this episode that offers valuable insights into building resilience, fostering inclusion, and finding empowerment in the face of adversity. Listen and be inspired to create positive change in your own life. Trigger Warning: Discussion of bullying at 9:45. Follow Rachel at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelih/

In the latest episode, Annalyn welcomes the multifaceted Jeff Scardina. Jeff's impressive career journey spans from starting out in the consulting space, and branching out to hone his craft in Talent & Learning development; he’s served as leader at Electronic Arts (EA), Taco Bell, to most recently at Calendly. However, it's not just the successes that shape a person, but the hurdles they've overcome. In 2008, when the world's economy crashed, Jeff faced one of his most challenging 'rubble moments.' He navigated the uncertainty and pain of unemployment during the financial crisis, and grappled with feelings of being adrift - both in his career and emotional world. This episode dives deep into that transformative period by uncovering how Jeff saw a way out of the rubble, realigned his career compass, and discovered a new profound purpose in life. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that’s a testament to resilience, self-discovery, and the magic that emerges when you stitch purpose into adversity. Jeff’s story is for anyone who's ever felt lost in life, and seeks a roadmap to find their way back. You can find Jeff on LinkedIn, and Instagram @mindofjeff.

Annalyn Cruz sits down with the inspiring Zenisha Gibson–a coach, consultant, and true beacon of resilience. Zenisha's life story reads like chapters of triumph over multiple "rubble seasons," marked by job losses, heart-wrenching accidents, and deep personal tragedies. Drawing strength from her past, including the harrowing experience of losing her brother and witnessing her grandmother's grief, Zenisha shares how she transformed her pain into power. In their conversation, Zenisha opens up about her journey, reminding listeners that life's trials aren't just events to passively endure - they're lessons to actively grow from. Reflecting on her "rubble seasons," she emphasizes the importance of showing up in a way that honors our life and the lives of those we've lost. This episode is a testament to the power of resilience, the importance of perspective, and the beauty of turning pain into purpose. It's a compelling reminder that we don't just go through life's challenges, we grow through them. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation that will inspire, uplift, and ignite a passion for honoring the journey of life. Find Zenisha on LinkedIn or on Instagram! Resource discussed on this episode: Daily Piece Affirmations (Written by Jenilee De La Fuente, Illustrated by Necole Gayanan)

Join Annalyn Cruz in a heartfelt conversation with the remarkable Heather Alaine, a true advocate of love, movement, and self-discovery. Heather's journey takes us through the highs and lows of her life, including her profound "rubble moment" marked by a heart-wrenching experience of infidelity and the healing that happens between mind, body, and soul. Heather's story is a reminder that even in our darkest moments, we have the capacity to find our light. Tune in to be inspired by her incredible resilience, and learn how she emerged from the rubble of heartbreak to dance once more in the radiant light of self-acceptance and self-love. Learn more about Heather on website, https://www.heatheralaine.com/ or find her on IG at ready_heatheralaine and FB at heatheralaine.

Annalyn welcomes Nancy Tran, a fierce advocate for both burn survivors and domestic violence victims and/or survivors. Nancy’s goal and life purpose is to help others overcome their hurdle of negative self-esteem and encourage them to fulfill what makes them blissful by supporting them along the way. Nancy is also a motivational speaker, where she focuses on experiences as a survivor and living the life she wants. Nancy shares about her rubble moment of becoming a burn survivor at the hands of an ex, and how her life completely changed in one night...and yet, she continues to focus on letting the Light win instead by continuing to embody a blissful and fulfilling life, while being in service to others. *Please note that this episode contain discussions of interpersonal violence, domestic violence, and traumatic events that some may find disturbing. Listener discretion is advised. If you are in need of help, please consider contacting: The National Domestic Violence 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text "START" to 88788. International Domestic Violence Resource Guide (2023) Laura's House

Annalyn has started recording meditations that she has written to share with the world, both on the Insight Timer app and the Grounded In Wisdom podcast. Her inspiration for this track is for those currently struggling with tough moments in life, and is dedicated to for folx longing for peace, love, kindness, and stillness. If you are feeling anxious and/or fearful, this is a gentle reminder that you are not alone.

In this episode, Annalyn chats with her long-time close friend, Dr. Glenn DeGuzman. Glenn shares how he found comfort in sharing his struggle with a professional therapist and letting his loved ones know about trying to find balance during the time of his multiple rubble moments--which included when his wife and mother both suffered from severe health issues. Glenn also shares the importance of getting the support you need, particularly if one is used to being completely independent, and may also come from a culture that generally does not openly share about mental health struggles. Glenn authentically shares how he learned from initially thinking he had face his rubble moments alone, to now understanding the power of releasing the emotional valve.

This episode focuses on Pema Rocker, a Creativity Coach and author who shares one of her profound and life-changing rubble moment...when her dear brother David passed away from a car accident when Pema was 17 and how her well of grief and trauma transformed once again during the 9/11 attacks in NY. Pema courageously offers how she navigated her process over the years, the speed (or the slowness rather) of how grief lives within us, and how we can allow ourselves to be reached by others when we really need it. Learn more about Pema at her website https://pemarocker.com/ Buy Pema's amazing book "Ash and Spirit: Freeing Grief and Finding Hope in 31 Days of Memories, Mediumship, and Collective Healing."

Annalyn reflects on her own Rubble Moment and what she has learned since the time in 2014 when her world came crashing down...and how she continues to practice so much gratitude to the authentic life she is fully living now, vs. being a shell of herself from the past. Grounded In Wisdom Website Follow Annalyn/Grounded In Wisdom on Instagram

Have you ever felt stuck in life or had such a profound life challenge, that it completely turned your world upside down and you didn’t know how you would get through to the other side? You’re not alone. Join Annalyn Cruz, a Dream-Life and Leadership Coach, space holder, and storyteller, as she interviews and talks story with some phenomenal guests who share how they moved through their “rubble moment”--when life seemingly came crashing down. Get ready to be inspired…if you’ve endured rubble moments or are currently struggling, know that you are not alone in your experience. We’re all in this together. Grounded In Wisdom Website https://www.instagram.com/groundedinwisdom/