Travel Thru Grief

Travel Thru Grief

by Ellen Beckemeyer

Mental Health Places & Travel

Season 1

Water Park Day, Play in healing

Water Park Day: Play in Healing In this episode of Travel Thru Grief, Ellen explores how play can become part of the healing process. In this episode: Why healing does not always have to feel heavy How grief can make life feel serious and emotionally exhausting The role of play, laughter, movement, and fun in healing Childhood memories of summer days at water parks Paper admission tickets, hot concrete, metal lockers, Coppertone, wave pools, and damp rides home Why nostalgia can reconnect us with parts of ourselves we thought were gone The difference between avoiding grief and allowing ourselves a break from it How play can help release tension and create emotional breathing room Simple ways to bring more play into everyday life Why joy does not erase grief or diminish the person we lost Reflection Prompt: What activity once made you lose track of time, and how could you bring a small piece of that feeling into your life now? Your Next Step Are you moving through grief, change, or a major life transition and ready for support? Explore coaching and book a session with Ellen https://paperbell.me/ellen-beckemeyer Email Ellen at travelthrugrief@gmail.com Follow and share the Travel Thru Grief podcast with someone who may need this message Play does not erase grief. It creates a little more room around it. There is a way THRU.

Be Someone in 10 Seconds Day

National Be Someone Day – July 21 National Be Someone Day reminds us that changing a child's life can begin with just a few seconds of courage. Children often don't ask for help directly—they hope a trusted adult will notice. If you suspect abuse, you do not need proof. If something doesn't feel right, trust your instincts and report your concerns. If a child tells you about abuse, stay calm, listen, believe them, thank them for telling you, don't promise to keep it secret, and contact the appropriate authorities. Resources • Project Be Someone https://projectbesomeone.org Learn the warning signs, take the pledge, and find educational resources. • Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline Call or Text: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) https://www.childhelphotline.org Available 24/7 with confidential support and interpretation in more than 170 languages. • How to Report Child Abuse https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/responding/reporting/how/ Find your state's reporting information and learn what happens after a report is made. • Find a Children's Advocacy Center https://www.nationalchildrensalliance.org Locate local centers providing interviews, counseling, advocacy, and healing services for children and families. • Become a CASA Volunteer https://nationalcasagal.org Advocate in court for children experiencing abuse or neglect. • Prevent Child Abuse America https://preventchildabuse.org Education, prevention programs, and ways to support families. • Darkness to Light https://www.d2l.org Training to recognize, prevent, and respond to child sexual abuse. • Report Online Child Exploitation https://report.cybertip.org National Center for Missing & Exploited Children CyberTipline. • Find Local Help Dial 211 or visit https://211.org for counseling, food, housing, and family support resources. If a child is in immediate danger, call 911 immediately. Thank you for taking a few minutes to learn how you can help protect a child. Sometimes the question, "Are you okay?" can be the beginning of someone's healing journey.

What a Tape Measure Can't Measure

What a Tape Measure Can't Measure What do a tape measure and Bastille Day have in common? At first glance, not much. One is a simple tool used to measure distance. The other commemorates one of history's most significant revolutions. But together, they ask a powerful question: How do we measure a life that is becoming free? In this episode, we explore the surprising history behind the tape measure alongside the story of Bastille Day and discover how both invite us to look beyond numbers. Tape measures can calculate height, width, and length, but they cannot measure courage, resilience, healing, or hope. Likewise, the storming of the Bastille in 1789 was about far more than the walls of a prison—it became a symbol of breaking free from fear, oppression, and the belief that change was impossible. Grief often builds invisible fortresses around us. We begin measuring ourselves by the time since our loss, our productivity, our age, or how "far along" we think we should be. Yet the most meaningful progress is rarely something that can be measured with inches, calendars, or comparisons. Through stories from New York, Paris, and history itself, this episode reminds us that while milestones matter, they are only part of the story. The greatest transformations happen where no measuring tape can reach. In This Episode The fascinating history of the tape measure The meaning and legacy of Bastille Day The hidden Statue of Liberty overlooking Paris Why some of life's greatest milestones cannot be measured The invisible fortresses grief can build Choosing freedom over comparison in our healing journey Reflection Questions What have I been measuring that doesn't truly define me? What emotional fortress am I ready to leave behind? Where have I grown in ways no tape measure—or calendar—could ever capture? What would greater freedom look like in my life today? If this episode encouraged you, please follow Travel thru Grief, leave a review, and share it with someone who may be measuring themselves too harshly. Some things can be measured in inches. Some moments change history. And the most important journeys are measured by the freedom we find along the way. Until next time... Keep traveling through.

Preserving Memory Tones

Preserving Memory Tones Why can one song transport us back to a moment in our lives before we've even finished hearing the first few notes? In this episode of Travel thru Grief, we explore the extraordinary relationship between music, memory, identity, and healing. From the soundtrack of our childhood to the songs that carried us through heartbreak, celebrations, road trips, graduations, weddings, and quiet moments alone, music has a remarkable ability to preserve not only memories—but the emotions attached to them. As National Day of Rock 'n' Roll approaches on July 7, we celebrate more than a genre of music. We celebrate the way rock 'n' roll—and every style of music that followed—became part of our personal stories. Rock, pop, R&B, blues, jazz, country, classical, gospel, folk, hip-hop, and so many other genres all become chapters in the soundtrack of our lives. Together we'll explore: • Why certain songs instantly transport us back in time • How music becomes emotionally attached to life events • Why melodies often survive when other memories fade • The role music plays in grief, resilience, and healing • How every generation leaves behind its own musical fingerprints • Why preserving music is also preserving our collective history Whether you're remembering a first dance, a family road trip, a concert, someone you've loved and lost, or simply the joy of turning up the radio with the windows down, this episode is an invitation to honor the soundtrack that has quietly accompanied your life. Because memories don't always arrive through photographs. Sometimes... They arrive through a melody. Reflection Prompt If your life had a soundtrack, what three songs would tell your story—and what memories do they still carry today? Thank you for traveling through grief with me. There is always a way thru. — Travel thru Grief is hosted by Ellen Beckemeyer, certified Martha Beck Wayfinder Life Coach, helping people navigate life's transitions with hope, curiosity, and courage. If this episode resonated with you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone whose memories deserve to be heard. RSSVERIFY

The Night Sky Still Holds Wonder

The Night Sky Still Holds Wonder There are nights when the world feels impossibly quiet. The stars seem farther away than ever, and grief can make the darkness feel even deeper. Yet when we slow down and look up, we often discover something remarkable: the sky hasn't stopped shining. In this episode of Travel thru Grief, we're exploring the healing invitation found in the night sky. From constellations that have guided travelers for centuries to the quiet beauty of a meteor shower, the heavens remind us that wonder still exists—even after loss. We'll talk about how grief can narrow our vision, why moments of awe are important for emotional healing, and how simply stepping outside for a few minutes can reconnect us with hope, perspective, and possibility. You don't have to have all the answers tonight. Sometimes healing begins by simply looking up. In This Episode Why wonder is an important part of healing The night sky as a timeless companion through every season of life Finding perspective when grief makes your world feel small How slowing down helps us reconnect with hope Creating simple nighttime rituals that bring peace Remembering that beauty continues to exist alongside sorrow Reflection Questions When was the last time you intentionally looked at the night sky? What reminds you that you are part of something larger than your current circumstances? Where have you experienced unexpected moments of wonder during your healing journey? What would it look like to create space for awe this week? Gentle Reminder Healing doesn't always happen through big breakthroughs. Sometimes it begins with a quiet evening, a sky full of stars, and the willingness to believe that beauty is still waiting for you. Travel thru Grief Podcast Healing. Hope. Moving Forward. If this episode encouraged you, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who could use a little more wonder in their journey today. Every share helps another traveler find hope. For information about being coached, you can email me at travelthrugrief@gmail.com or go to Travel Thru Grief - Support for where you are—and where y...

Fireflies, a Softer Summer

🌿 Fireflies: A Softer Summer Travel Thru Grief Podcast | Tuesday, June 23, 2026 Summer has a way of convincing us that we should be doing more. More trips. More plans. More activities. More memories. But some of the sweetest summers aren't built around a calendar full of events. They're found in ordinary evenings, conversations on the porch, neighborhood walks, favorite songs playing from open windows, and the quiet moments that somehow become the ones we remember most. In this episode, Ellen reflects on the slower rhythms of summer and the memories that linger long after the season ends. From childhood evenings and family traditions to the simple pleasures that connect us across generations and cultures, this conversation is an invitation to release the pressure to make summer extraordinary and instead allow it to be meaningful. Like fireflies appearing one by one, joy doesn't always arrive in grand moments. Sometimes it shows up softly. In this episode: ✨ Why summer memories are often rooted in ordinary moments ✨ How grief and life transitions can change the way we experience the season ✨ The difference between making memories and trying to manufacture them ✨ Childhood rituals, neighborhood traditions, and simple pleasures shared around the world ✨ Why slowing down may be exactly what your soul needs right now ✨ A gentle reminder that life doesn't have to be full to be beautiful Whether your summer feels busy, quiet, joyful, lonely, or somewhere in between, there is room for grace. Because sometimes what matters most isn't doing more. It's noticing what's already here. Reflection Prompt What simple moments from summer have stayed with you through the years, and what small joys might you still make room for this season? Whisper of Permission You don't have to create the perfect summer. You don't have to keep up with anyone else's pace. You are allowed to slow down. You are allowed to savor. You are allowed to let this season be softer. 🎙 Travel Thru Grief with Ellen Beckemeyer Healing. Hope. Moving forward. 🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you enjoy podcasts. #TravelThruGrief #GriefJourney #MidlifeWomen #SummerMemories #Fireflies #SlowerLiving #HealingJourney #WidowLife #LifeTransitions #PodcastCommunity

The Desire to Get Away

The Desire to Get Away Have you ever felt the urge to pack a bag, get in the car, board a plane, or simply disappear for a little while? Most of us assume that desire means we're trying to escape something. But what if it's actually a sign that part of us is trying to come alive again? In this episode of Travel thru Grief, Ellen explores the deeper meaning behind the desire to get away. Drawing from childhood memories, years of travel, and the losses that reshaped her life, she reflects on the difference between running away from life and participating more fully in it. This conversation isn't really about vacations. It's about perspective. It's about stepping outside the routines, expectations, and stories that have become too small for who you're becoming. It's about remembering that the world is larger than the version of it we see every day. And sometimes, a little distance helps us hear ourselves again. In This Episode Why the desire to travel isn't always about escape The difference between running away and moving toward something Childhood memories of discovering the world through television How grief changed Ellen's relationship with travel The role of curiosity in healing and growth Why traditions, cultures, and everyday lives fascinate us The difference between the marketed world and the actual world How travel can help us reconnect with wonder, possibility, and ourselves What it means to remember you are meant for more Reflection Questions When was the last time you felt the desire to get away? What do you think you were really longing for? Is there a place you've always wanted to visit? What part of yourself might be waiting there? Where in your life could you use a little more perspective? Whisper of Permission You don't have to travel across an ocean to change your perspective. Sometimes a new road, a new conversation, a new experience, or a new way of looking at your life is enough. The desire to get away may not be asking you to leave your life behind. It may simply be inviting you to participate in it more fully. Travel thru Grief Podcast Hosted by Ellen Beckemeyer Healing. Hope. Moving Forward. 🌐 https://paperbell.me/ellen-beckemeyer 🎙️ Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other podcast platforms.

The Day After You Begin Again

The Day After You Begin Again Starting over gets a lot of attention. The decision. The declaration. The fresh calendar. The new plan. But what happens after Day One? What happens when the excitement fades and ordinary life shows up again? In this episode of Travel thru Grief, Ellen explores the often-overlooked days that follow a new beginning. Whether you're rebuilding after loss, adjusting to a life transition, starting a new chapter, pursuing a goal, or simply trying to move forward one day at a time, this conversation is about the courage required to keep going. Because beginning again isn't usually a single moment. It's a series of choices. A series of mornings. A series of days when no one is applauding and no dramatic transformation has happened yet. It's the day after Day One. And the day after that. And the day after that. In this episode, you'll hear: • Why Day One is often easier than Day Two • The difference between inspiration and commitment • How small daily choices create lasting change • Why progress is rarely dramatic but often deeply meaningful • Ways to stay moving when motivation disappears • How transitions, grief, and personal growth all require patience with the process If you've recently started over—or you're trying to continue something you already started—this episode is a reminder that you don't have to do everything today. You only need to take the next step. Because a new life is rarely built in a single moment. It's built day after day. Reflection Questions • What have I already begun that deserves my continued attention? • Where am I expecting immediate results instead of steady progress? • What is one small choice I can make today that supports the life I'm creating? • What would change if I trusted the process a little more? Whisper of Permission You don't have to reinvent your life overnight. You don't have to have every answer. You don't have to move faster than your own healing. Keep showing up. Day after day. The story is still unfolding. Travel thru Grief is hosted by Ellen Beckemeyer and explores healing, hope, resilience, and finding your way forward after life's losses and transitions. #TravelThruGrief #BeginningAgain #StartingOver #LifeTransitions #PersonalGrowth #HealingJourney #GriefSupport #Resilience #MidlifeWomen #HopeForward

Leave the Office Early Day

Episode 4 Show Notes Leave the Office Early Day Travel Thru Grief Podcast with Ellen Beckemeyer Tuesday, June 2, 2026 Sometimes leaving early is not laziness. Sometimes it is wisdom. Sometimes it is survival. And sometimes it is the first quiet act of remembering that your life belongs to you too. In this episode of Travel Thru Grief, Ellen explores the deeper meaning behind “Leave the Office Early Day” — not simply escaping work, but reclaiming space, breath, creativity, joy, and humanity in a world that often rewards exhaustion more than presence. This conversation is for the people who have spent years: holding everything together, being dependable, carrying emotional labor, surviving grief silently, or postponing their own life until “someday.” Ellen shares reflections on: burnout and emotional compression, the difference between productivity and living, reconnecting with hobbies, creativity, and movement, why small acts of freedom matter, and how leaving early can become a metaphor for choosing yourself again. The episode also explores: work-life balance after grief or major life transitions, the pressure to always be “on,” the emotional importance of rest, and the idea that healing sometimes begins with one small interruption to routine. Whether your “office” is a workplace, caregiving, emotional labor, or simply the constant pressure of survival, this episode offers permission to create a little more room for your own life. In This Episode Why exhaustion is not a badge of honor The hidden grief behind overworking Tiny acts of freedom that restore identity Creative ways to reconnect with yourself The emotional importance of leaving space for joy Why healing often begins with small changes Reclaiming time without guilt Reflection Questions When was the last time you truly felt off duty? What part of your life feels overdue for breathing room? If you left “early” emotionally, mentally, or physically… what would you do with that reclaimed space? What tiny act of freedom could you give yourself this week? Gentle Invitation You do not have to earn rest by collapsing first. You do not have to wait for permission to live your own life. Sometimes healing begins with simply walking out the door a little earlier than usual. Connect with Travel Thru Grief Follow and listen on: Spotify Apple Podcasts Other podcast platforms Travel Thru Grief Heal. Grow. Explore.

Tiny Flights Still Count

Travel Thru Grief Podcast Tiny Flights Still Count National Paper Airplane Day Special Released: May 26, 2026 Sometimes healing doesn't arrive as a jumbo jet. Sometimes it arrives as a paper airplane. In this National Paper Airplane Day episode, Ellen explores the power of small movements, tiny acts of courage, and the often-overlooked progress that carries us forward after loss, disappointment, transition, or uncertainty. Many people believe healing must look dramatic to count. A major breakthrough. A life-changing trip. A complete reinvention. But real transformation is often built from smaller moments: answering one email, stepping outside for fresh air, making one phone call, taking one walk, or simply getting through a difficult day. Using the playful symbolism of paper airplanes, Ellen reflects on imagination, experimentation, childhood wonder, and the surprising lessons hidden inside tiny flights. Some paper airplanes soar across a room. Others dive immediately to the floor. Yet every launch teaches something about movement, adjustment, and trying again. This episode also explores: Why small steps create momentum The difference between movement and perfection How grief can make even ordinary tasks feel enormous The role of curiosity and play in healing Why comparison steals encouragement from our own progress The emotional value of "tiny flights" during seasons of rebuilding The connection between travel, exploration, and personal growth What paper airplanes can teach us about resilience Along the way, Ellen shares reflections on childhood experimentation, travel metaphors, perspective shifts, and the importance of allowing ourselves to begin before we feel fully ready. Whether you're navigating grief, starting over after a major life change, rebuilding confidence, pursuing a dream, or simply trying to move forward one day at a time, this episode is a reminder that progress doesn't have to be dramatic to be meaningful. Every flight counts. Every attempt counts. Every step counts. And sometimes the smallest movement becomes the beginning of a much larger journey. Reflection Questions ✈️ What tiny flight have you taken recently that deserves more credit than you've given it? ✈️ Where are you waiting for a perfect launch instead of allowing yourself a small beginning? ✈️ What would become possible if you trusted one small step today? Memorable Quote "Healing doesn't always arrive as a jumbo jet. Sometimes it arrives as a paper airplane." Resources Travel Thru Grief Podcast Travel Thru Grief Coaching Finding Your Way Forward Resources Subscribe & Listen Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, Audible, Pandora, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and other major podcast platforms. Travel Thru Grief Find Your Way Forward.

2 of 5