Radiant Resilience - Real Conversations with Tawny Palm

91. FROM THE ARCHIVES - Kellyn Van Laere

Season 1 Episode 91

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I’m opening the Radiant Resilience vault to re-share a conversation that’s incredibly dear to my heart — and also one of the most listened-to and downloaded episodes of the entire show.
In this “From the Archives” episode, I sit down with my sweet best friend, Kellen, as she shares her story with a level of honesty that still takes my breath away. At just 21, Kellen became a caregiver as her dad battled lung cancer — and she ultimately lost him far too soon. A few years later, life asked the unimaginable again when her mom’s cancer returned and progressed, and Kellen found herself walking through another long, painful goodbye.
We talk about what it’s like to grieve so young, the chaos of “life logistics” while your heart is shattering, the moments that change you forever, and the truth Kellen reminds us of so beautifully: grief is often the final act of love.
If you’re a newer listener and haven’t gone back to the early episodes, I’m so glad you’re here for this one.
Trigger Warning / Sensitive Topics: death of a parent, cancer, caregiving, anticipatory grief, intense grief/loss, medical trauma, mental health struggles, mention of suicide.
If this episode feels tender for you today, please take care of yourself — pause, skip, or come back when you feel supported. This podcast is not a substitute for professional help. If you need support, please reach out to a qualified mental health professional or someone you trust.
✨ Until next time — keep choosing softness, truth, and resilience.1

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