In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting (TAOIA), host Amy Stone chats with Suzanne Jabour about rebuilding life after the loss of her adult son. Suzanne shares her personal journey through grief, the practical and emotional realities of loss, and her mission to create space for more open and supportive conversations around grief and healing. Together, they explore not only the pain, but also the opportunities for connection, growth, and compassion that arise in the aftermath of tragedy.

About the Guest:

Suzanne is a grieving mom who has found meaning in her loss through providing grief education – sharing how grief really works and how we can support people experiencing it. She works with grievers to chart their own path through Conscious and Curious Grief Coaching. She offers a regular rotation of workshops and sessions for grievers and people supporting them to share the information, skills and tools so we can respond to grief in a more meaningful way. Her TEDx talk “Grief is Hard - Let’s do Better” will be released in 2025. She is available as a speaker to share her story and help normalize grief as a healthy response to losses big and small. She has a BA and B Ed and decades of experience as a trainer. She is a certified Grief Educator, a Transformational Coach and Workshop Leader.

Main Topics Covered:

• Suzanne’s life before and after her son’s passing
• How the COVID-19 pandemic shaped her family’s experience of loss
• The realities of grief, including its physical, emotional, and mental impact (“grief brain”)
• Why our society struggles to handle grief and what needs to change
• Honoring loved ones by sharing stories and memories
• Practical advice for supporting grievers and having better conversations about loss
• The importance of foundational well-being in facing life’s challenges
• Suzanne’s new grief workshops and available resources

Quote from the Episode:

“If we were having more conversations about it, about grief and loss and rebuilding, we would be much better adulting.” — Suzanne Jabour

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introductions, Vancouver vs. Seattle, and Suzanne’s hobbies
• 02:04 – Discussing the loss of Suzanne’s adult son; the context of the pandemic
• 07:13 – Exposure to grief prior to Ben’s death; unique impact of losing a child
• 09:59 – How Ben passed away and reframing mental health loss
• 14:01 – Honoring and remembering Ben’s life
• 19:16 – The physical and mental impact of grief; normalizing the experience
• 22:05 – “Fork in the road” moments and puzzle pieces of identity
• 28:08 – Rebuilding life, shifting priorities and boundaries
• 38:18 – Supporting grievers: what helps, and what doesn’t
• 46:26 – Why we must get better at handling grief
• 47:00 – Suzanne’s workshops, resources, and special offer for listeners
• 49:15 – Rapid fire questions: fear, Mars, and beverages

Resources & Links:

• Special offer from Suzanne Jabour drop-in grief workshops (code “AIA” for 10% off) https://www.suzannejabour.com/
• Suzanne’s TEDx Talk: “Grief is Hard. Let’s Do Better.” https://youtu.be/3wRQTueKxJY?si=EaGmKD6jSrjqrZPx

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In this episode, host Amy Stone welcomes Kandas Rodarte to discuss the path that led Kandas to launch a coaching business after being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer at age 44. Together, they explore Kandas’s journey from custom furniture entrepreneurship to becoming the “Gratitude Geek,” focusing on resilience, gratitude, and empowering women to change the world through business ownership.

About the Guest:

Kandas Rodarte is a productivity coach for micropreneurs and the host of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, ranked #1 in sales and marketing on GoodPods. After being diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer, she embraced gratitude as a daily practice and turned her experience into a mission to help solopreneurs build lasting relationships while growing their businesses. Through her group coaching program, Robusta, Small Business Percolator, she provides a supportive space for female solopreneurs to brainstorm, learn, and thrive. Kandas believes success comes from authentic connections, strategic marketing, and a strong support network.

Main Topics Covered:

• Kandas’s move from California to Michigan and her love of crochet
• The life-changing discovery of her cancer diagnosis, how she found her doctor, and the role of Herceptin in her journey
• Transitioning from custom high-end furniture business to coaching women entrepreneurs
• The power of gratitude—how Kandas integrated it into her brand and life, and practical tips for practicing gratitude, even on tough days
• The importance of imperfect adulting and representing real, authentic lives
• Kandas’s group coaching program for women over 40 and her mission to help women change the world through business ownership
• Fun side topics: favorite books, memorable gifts, and living with intention

Quote from the Episode:

“I think that women need to own businesses because we really can change the world and we can make it better for everybody, including men. Men will be better off if women owned more businesses.” — Kandas Rodarte

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introductions, getting off-topic, and Michigan living
• 02:46 – Hobbies, passion for crochet, and yarn shop woes
• 05:59 – Transition to today’s topic: Cancer diagnosis and launching a business
• 06:19 – How a breakthrough drug’s history changed Kandas’s prognosis
• 08:09 – The discovery of her breast cancer and life before diagnosis
• 13:17 – Kandas’s career as a custom furniture entrepreneur
• 16:50 – Childhood dreams, paleontology, and family connections
• 20:25 – What metastatic cancer means
• 21:43 – Choosing coaching after diagnosis and early online business communities
• 27:10 – Women, business, and why Kandas believes in changing the world
• 31:34 – Gratitude: before and after cancer diagnosis
• 36:16 – Honest talk about practicing gratitude, even when it’s hard
• 41:00 – Details on Kandas’s coaching program and where to find her
• 43:38 – Rapid-fire questions: color, favorite gift, and beloved books

Offer from the guest: You can connect with Kandas at www.kandasrodarte.com where you will find a 5-day gratitude journal.

Note from the host: if you have trouble collecting or redeeming a guest offer - please contact the guest directly.

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In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone talks with adventure athlete and Paralympian Kyle Coon. Kyle shares his journey from a confident college graduate struggling to find work—even landing a rejection from a grocery store—to transforming his life through endurance sports and embracing imperfection. His candid conversation highlights the challenges and unexpected turns that shape our personal growth.

About the Guest:

Kyle Coon is a two-time Paralympian, endurance athlete, keynote speaker, and Exactly What to Say Certified Guide. After losing his sight at the age of six, Kyle has dedicated his life to pushing limits—whether summiting Kilimanjaro as a teenager, competing on the world’s biggest athletic stages, or helping individuals and teams unlock their highest potential. A passionate advocate for high-performance living, he shares his journey of resilience, adaptability, and achievement through speaking engagements, coaching, and content creation. When he’s not training for his next challenge, Kyle is focused on fostering a community committed to excellence and living without limits.

Main Topics Covered:

• Kyle’s experience growing up blind and developing a strong support network
• The reality check and emotional impact of post-college job hunting setbacks
• How rejection led Kyle to rediscover physical fitness and ultimately pursue endurance sports
• The transformative role of mentorship and community in finding new paths
• A behind-the-scenes look at competing in triathlon as a blind athlete
• Reflections on overconfidence, growth, and advice for younger adults
• Kyle’s current projects and how technology enhances his life

Quote from the Episode:

"At the end of the day, there is no best. There's only better." — Kyle Coon

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction and Kyle’s definition of “home”
• 01:12 – Kyle’s non-work passion: Chess
• 04:18 – Facing setbacks after college and personal reflection
• 10:53 – Losing his vision as a child and its life impact
• 18:38 – From adventure sports to marathons and triathlons
• 23:50 – Finding a running mentor and learning about triathlon
• 29:22 – Progression from entry-level running to Ironman and Paralympics
• 34:47 – The mechanics of racing as a blind triathlete
• 37:10 – Would Kyle have chosen endurance sports if life went different?
• 38:48 – Advice to his younger self
• 40:25 – Kyle’s current pursuits and where to connect

Connect with Kyle Coon:

• Website: KyleCoon.com
• Instagram: @ironkyle

Also mentioned in the show United In Stride https://www.unitedinstride.com/

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