The Rich Roll Podcast – Discovering Yourself In Tragedy: Steph Catudal On Love, Grief, Healing & Finding Meaning in Life’s Profound Moments

Intro

In this episode of “The Rich Roll Podcast,” host Rich Roll engages in a deep and introspective conversation with Steph Catudal, author of the New York Times bestseller “Everything All at Once.” They explore topics such as trauma, grief, faith, and finding meaning in life. Steph shares her personal experience of almost losing her husband and the profound journey of healing and self-discovery that followed.

Main Takeaways

Healing and Self-Discovery

• Healing is a continuous process and it’s okay to take your time.
• The process of writing the book allowed Steph to access a deep emotional state that may not be accessible in the future.
• Healing is an ongoing journey, there is no final destination.
• Accepting the void left by a loved one’s death is necessary for self-acceptance.
• Confronting the truth of a loved one’s passing can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.

Finding Meaning in Tragedy

• Assigning personal meaning to tragic events can aid in healing and personal evolution.
• Power and healing can be found within oneself, and love can be a powerful tool in accessing it.
• Blaming others for our own deficiencies is not productive.
• Happiness and wholeness come from within oneself, not from others.
• The search for solace can lead to religion, prayer, drugs, and other methods, but true healing comes from within.

Sharing Personal Experiences

• Sharing personal experiences can empower others and aid in personal growth.
• Pain is universal, but we experience it personally. Sharing our experiences can help others know they are not alone.

Parenting Through Tragedy

• Parents face a dual challenge of being strong and protecting their children while also modeling vulnerability and open communication.
• Children can handle more than parents might suspect, and transparency can lead to empathy and respect.
• Hiding details from children, even for protective reasons, can lead to distrust.
• Modeling imperfection can be an important lesson for children.

Trusting Gut Instincts and Finding Love

• Trusting your own instincts requires a level of trust in oneself.
• Being connected with oneself is crucial to making good decisions based on gut instinct.
• Love is woven into every aspect of our lives in the form of memory.
• The love we give ourselves is a reflection of the love we can give others.

Summary

Healing and Self-Discovery

Steph Catudal’s memoir, “Everything All at Once,” is a powerful exploration of healing and self-discovery. Through writing the book, Steph was able to access deep emotional states that may not be accessible in the future. She emphasizes that healing is an ongoing journey with no final destination. Accepting the void left by a loved one’s death is crucial for self-acceptance, and confronting the truth of a loved one’s passing can lead to personal growth and self-discovery.

Finding Meaning in Tragedy

Steph Catudal shares her insights on finding meaning in tragedy. She believes that assigning personal meaning to tragic events can aid in healing and personal evolution. She emphasizes that power and healing can be found within oneself, and love can be a powerful tool in accessing inner strength and healing. Steph encourages listeners to take responsibility for their own healing and not blame others for their own deficiencies. True happiness and wholeness come from within oneself, not from external sources.

Sharing Personal Experiences

Steph Catudal highlights the importance of sharing personal experiences. By sharing our experiences, we can empower others and aid in their personal growth. Pain is a universal experience, but sharing our stories can help others know they are not alone in their struggles.

Parenting Through Tragedy

Steph Catudal discusses the challenges of parenting through tragedy. She emphasizes the importance of being strong and protecting children while also modeling vulnerability and open communication. Children can handle more than parents might suspect, and transparency can lead to empathy and respect. It is important not to hide details from children, as it can lead to distrust. Modeling imperfection can be an important lesson for children.

Trusting Gut Instincts and Finding Love

Steph Catudal shares her insights on trusting gut instincts and finding love. She emphasizes that trusting one’s own instincts requires a level of trust in oneself. Being connected with oneself is crucial to making good decisions based on gut instinct. Love is woven into every aspect of our lives in the form of memory, and the love we give ourselves is a reflection of the love we can give others.

Conclusion

In this thought-provoking episode of “The Rich Roll Podcast,” Steph Catudal shares her personal journey of healing, self-discovery, and finding meaning in tragedy. Through her memoir and conversation with Rich Roll, she provides valuable insights on the ongoing process of healing, the power of love, and the importance of sharing personal experiences. Steph’s story serves as a reminder that healing and self-acceptance are personal journeys that require self-reflection, vulnerability, and love.