What do you do when your life changes in an instant?

When Donna Kendrick lost her husband to suicide, she was left standing at a painful crossroads – three young kids, a new house, and a future she could no longer picture. But by the light of a backyard bonfire, she made a vow: this would not be the end of her story.

In this honest and deeply human conversation, Donna shares how she navigated grief, rebuilt her life, and created a purpose-filled path for her family. Through heartbreak, she discovered strength she didn’t know she had – and now, she’s helping others do the same.

You’ll hear how she:

• Told her children the truth with compassion and created space for real grief
• Rebuilt a career that now helps widows and families through financial transition
• Found love again and blended two families into one sarcastic, supportive household

Listen to Donna’s full story and the moment she chose to keep going – with grit, purpose, and heart.

Donna Kendrick is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ practitioner and founder of Sephton Financial. After losing her first husband suddenly in 2013, Donna navigated widowhood with three young children, inspiring her to support families in transition through financial planning. She is the host of the Wisdom and Wealth Podcast and author of A Guide to Widowhood and A Guide for Blended Families. Donna is also an avid long-distance runner who, through her running group, raises funds for causes such as Safe Harbor, a grief counseling program for children. She lives in Jenkintown, PA, with her husband Jim and their six children.

✨ Don’t leave your loved ones without answers. Get instant access to a complimentary personal document locator and on-demand webinar at sephtonfinancial.com/webinar

Resources

To listen in on more conversations about pivotal moments that changed lives forever, subscribe to The Life Shift on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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The Life Shift was just named one of the top 60 life-changing podcasts by FeedSpot: https://podcast.feedspot.com/life_changing_podcasts/

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What do you do when the dream you’ve chased your entire life suddenly stops feeling right?

By the age of 17, Miron Pingasov had raced at 150 mph, broken bones, lost a close friend on the track, and watched his childhood passion for racing turn into something more political than purposeful. Faced with the weight of expectation and the pull of something deeper, Miron made a decision most wouldn’t at his age – he walked away.

In this episode, Miron opens up about the grief, clarity, and courage it took to choose a new path. His story is a reminder that we’re allowed to outgrow our dreams and that starting over doesn’t mean failure. It can actually be the beginning of real freedom.

Three things you’ll take away from Miron’s story:

• How letting go of a lifelong dream can make space for something more meaningful
• Why early failure is actually a gift that accelerates growth
• The power of being a sponge – and listening when others share wisdom

About Miron Pingasov

Miron Pingasov has raced open-wheel cars at 150 mph, flown solo at 10,000 feet, and co-founded businesses in real estate, clothing, and media – all before turning 18. Now a student at Syracuse University pursuing a degree in Aerospace Engineering, he’s also the co-founder of PT Development in Florida and works alongside his former racing sponsor on litigation funding initiatives in the UK.

Miron believes that the earlier we fail, the sooner we learn – and the sooner we learn, the sooner we succeed. Whether behind the wheel, in a boardroom, or on campus, he brings speed, structure, and a deep curiosity for growth. He’s especially passionate about helping younger individuals trust themselves, take risks, and find meaning on their own terms.

Learn more at www.ptdevelopmentfl.com or follow him (when he’s not on a social break) on Instagram @mironpingasov.

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This is episode 9 of my other podcast: It’s Okay If… Permission Slips for Mental Health, Self-Acceptance, and Growth

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Doing nothing can feel uncomfortable, especially when you care deeply about your work, your goals, or the people you're showing up for. But sometimes, pushing through becomes too much.

This short reflection is a reminder that rest isn’t laziness.

Taking a break isn’t a failure.

Pausing doesn’t mean you’ve given up – it means you’re listening to what you need.

If you’re feeling the weight of burnout, this is your permission slip to stop producing for a moment, to let things breathe, and to remember that stillness is its own kind of strength.

Subscribe to It's Okay If... https://its-okay-if.captivate.fm/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jealousy can feel uncomfortable – even shameful. But it's also human. You might feel it when someone else gets the opportunity you’ve been dreaming of, or when their joy highlights something you still deeply want.

This short reflection offers a compassionate reminder: jealousy doesn’t make you bad or ungrateful.

It often points to a dream or desire within you that still matters.

Instead of pushing the feeling away or layering it with guilt, this episode invites you to notice it, name it, and let it move through without judgment.

You're allowed to feel jealous and still be kind to yourself.

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What do you do when your partner says, “I have tumors in my lungs and spine”?

We don’t get instructions for that kind of moment. And we definitely don’t get told what it means to carry someone you love through the hardest, slowest, most beautiful goodbye. In this episode, I talk with Tony Stewart—writer, partner, caregiver—about what shifted the day his wife, Lynn, was diagnosed with terminal cancer, and what he learned as they walked through the next six years together.

This conversation isn’t just about loss.

It’s about presence.

And what happens when you let yourself feel every bit of it.

• He learned to access and express emotions he’d long buried
• He discovered the healing power of sharing his raw, unfiltered truth
• He found beauty – even joy – amid the hardest days of his life

🎧 Listen to this episode now to hear how love and grief reshaped one man’s understanding of what it means to live.

Tony Stewart is the author of *Carrying the Tiger: Living with Cancer, Dying with Grace, Finding Joy While Grieving*, a memoir chronicling the six years he spent walking alongside his wife through her terminal illness. Originally written as journal entries to keep friends and family updated, the story became a powerful testament to love, presence, and emotional truth. Tony now shares his journey to help others feel less alone in their own grief and caregiving experiences. Learn more at tonystewartauthor.com.

Resources: To listen in on more conversations about pivotal moments that changed lives forever, subscribe to "The Life Shift" on Apple Podcasts or wherever you listen to podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please take a moment to rate the show 5 stars and leave a review! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Access ad-free episodes released two days early: https://patreon.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Subscribe to The Life Shift Newsletter: https://www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com/newsletter/

The Life Shift was just named one of the top 60 life-changing podcasts by FeedSpot: https://podcast.feedspot.com/life_changing_podcasts/

Connect with me:

Instagram: www.instagram.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thelifeshiftpodcast

YouTube: https://bit.ly/thelifeshift_youtube

Twitter: www.twitter.com/thelifeshiftpod

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thelifeshiftpodcast

Website: www.thelifeshiftpodcast.com

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Some feelings show up without warning – and without a name. You’re not sad, not exactly anxious, not even sure what’s wrong… but something feels off. And when you can’t explain it, the urge to fix it gets louder.

This short reflection is a reminder that not every emotion needs a label. Not every ache needs to be solved right away. Sometimes, the kindest thing you can do is feel it – even if you don’t understand it yet.

If you’ve ever woken up heavy for no clear reason, this is your permission slip to stop searching for the perfect words and just let the feeling be.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.