Empowered & Out

In this heartfelt episode of Empowered & Out, Coach Jon sits down with Kara Zajac, freelance writer, chiropractor, entrepreneur, musician, and author of The Significance of Curly Hair: A Loving Memoir of Life and Loss.Kara’s memoir takes place during the emotionally loaded week of her grandmother’s funeral — a week that cracked open grief, memory, identity, family history, and the truths we sometimes do not understand until much later in life. Together, Jon and Kara explore what grief teaches us, how family stories shape who we become, and why healing often begins when we let ourselves feel instead of forcing ourselves to “move on.”This conversation also opens up powerful reflections on queer identity, motherhood, chosen family, authenticity, and the realization that there is no single “right” way to build a life. Kara shares how losing her grandmother helped her challenge old beliefs about family, marriage, motherhood, and what it means to live honestly.If you have ever carried grief, questioned the life you are “supposed” to live, or wondered how to honor someone you miss without losing yourself, this episode will meet you with tenderness, humor, and truth.Chapters00:00 — Welcome to Empowered & Out02:22 — Meet Kara Zajac02:25 — Energy check-in04:29 — Why Kara’s memoir takes place during the week of her grandmother’s funeral06:02 — The moment grief began changing her08:40 — What Kara wishes more people understood about grief09:37 — Coach Jon reflects on grief and losing his father11:34 — Seeing family members as whole people13:17 — Learning new stories after loss15:03 — Understanding her grandmother beyond the role of “grandmother”16:09 — Being gay, married, a mother, and fully yourself17:45 — Letting go of the belief that there is only one way to live21:41 — What to say to someone who feels forced to choose one version of life23:36 — Staying authentic when life gets loud24:54 — Being out in a small rural community27:44 — How authenticity builds trust30:53 — A powerful neighborhood moment about queer family and visibility32:38 — How grief shifted Kara’s view of motherhood34:30 — What motherhood taught Kara about love37:11 — Releasing the belief that children “need” one specific family structure40:21 — Raising children with openness and love43:17 — How Kara wants her daughter to define family46:24 — Inclusive churches, Pride, and belonging49:09 — The dollhouse story51:14 — The “dollhouse moments” we miss in our own lives52:45 — Truth, memory, and family stories55:49 — Giving grace to complicated family histories57:25 — What Kara hopes readers take away about grief58:06 — Rapid fire questions1:00:01 — Kara’s actionable tip for listeners1:00:37 — Closing reflections and CTAIf this episode stirred something in you — maybe around grief, family, identity, confidence, or the version of your life you are ready to stop hiding — I invite you to book a free discovery call with me.At Empowered & Out Coaching, I help professionals rebuild confidence, reconnect with purpose, and make career and life choices that support both success and wellbeing.Book your free call here:  linktr.ee/empoweredandout And if this conversation moved you, share it with someone who needs a reminder that grief does not have to be fixed all at once — and that there is more than one way to build a beautiful life.