Bounce Back Stronger with Donna Ferris

The Ripple Effect: How One Person Can Make a Difference with Gee Gee Rosell

“It’s like a pebble in a pond. Ripples out from each of us...because we’ve chosen to get better instead of getting worse.”
How do you build resilience while coping with grief, loss, and emotional overwhelm?
Sometimes it begins with a book.But more often, it begins with a person.
This episode honors beloved bookshop owner Gee Gee Rosell, who passed away last month. Through her steady presence and heartfelt book club gatherings, she created a powerful space for community healing, grief support, and resilience during times of loss, stress, and uncertainty.
In this conversation, Gee Gee and her book club members explore practical tools for coping with grief and strengthening emotional resilience, inspired by Donna Ferris’ book Bounce Back Stronger: Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens. As the discussion unfolds, we receive wisdom from the group, including:
✔ Practicing self-care during difficult times✔ Using meditation to ease grief and anxiety✔ Replacing negative thought patterns with affirmations✔ Choosing to get better together rather than surrender to despair alone
If you’re navigating grief, facing a life transition, or searching for ways to build resilience without hardening your heart, this episode offers support, perspective, and practical steps toward lasting emotional healing.
To learn more about Gee Gee, click here.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to another group discussion in Episode 73 “Raising Awareness and Hope: A Trans Parent Conversation.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast on your podcast provider or YouTube, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or inquire about meditation instruction or life coaching, visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#GriefSupport #ResilienceAfterLoss #CommunityHealing #EmotionalWellness #SelfCareFirst #FindingJoy #LeadWithLove #BounceBackStronger

Why You Keep Waking Up at 3 AM (and what to do about it) with Julie Wright

“When you wake up at 3 AM, your brain isn’t trying to ruin your sleep — it’s trying to protect you. It thinks you’re in danger.”
Have you ever found yourself wide awake staring at the ceiling, wondering why your body won’t just stay asleep?
You’re not alone—and according to sleep expert Julie Wright, these middle-of-the-night wakeups are often your body’s response to stress, anxiety, and hormone imbalance.
In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, host Donna Ferris speaks with Julie (author of The Natural Sleeper and founder of We Sleep) about what’s really happening inside your brain and nervous system when insomnia strikes.
If you’ve been Googling:
Why do I keep waking up at 3 AM?
How do I calm anxiety at night?
What should I do when I can’t fall back asleep?
…this episode will give you clarity, comfort, and a toolkit to help you finally rest.
To learn more about Julie’s book, events, and services, please visit wesleep.co.uk. 
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Julie’s last Episode #31 or Episode #46 “The Art of Being Enough” with Jennifer Schelter.
Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events, visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris. Her guided meditations can also be found on her website and on Insight Timer.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#Sleep #Insomnia #RestorativeSleep #JulieWright #WeSleep #TheNaturalSleeper #SleepHygiene #CircadianRhythm #SleepTips #AnxietyRelief #InsomniaHelp #BetterSleep

2026 Astrology Forecast: The Year of Action with Colleen Dixon

“2026 is the year of fire. It’s the year of beginnings. It’s the year of passion. It’s the year of getting your sh*t in order.”
After an emotionally intense 2025, the astrology of 2026 invites you to stop waiting and start becoming. In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, Donna Ferris is joined by astrologer Cosmi-Colleen Dixon to break down the biggest planetary shifts of the year and what they mean for your future.
You’ll learn how Neptune and Saturn in Aries, Jupiter in Leo, and major eclipse changes are reshaping identity, purpose, career direction, and relationships.
You’ll discover:• Why 2026 is a “found” year• Who will experience the biggest transformations• Where to expect career and leadership growth• Relationship themes to look for during Venus retrograde• How to align with the energy of action
If you’re done waiting and ready to take confident action in 2026, this episode is for you.
To listen to Colleen’s podcast (which I highly recommend), click here. You can also find her on Instagram @cosmicolleen or on Facebook @colleendixon.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Colleen’s last Episode #62 or Episode #43 “Mindful Living: Finding Balance in a Chaotic World” with Aruni Futuronsky.
Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #Podcast #2026Astrology #FireYear #AstrologyForecast #Horoscope #PersonalGrowth #AstrologyPodcast #action

2026 Psychic Forecast: What's Coming & How to Stay Centered

“Your spiritual guides don’t want you to live in lack or victimization. They want you to live in joy, abundance, happiness—and they support you every step of the way.”
In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, Donna Ferris welcomes back psychic medium Cristina Leeson for a grounding conversation on staying connected to higher energy, trusting spiritual guidance, and navigating uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
Together, they explore:
Why staying in higher energy isn’t “woo-woo”—it’s essential right now
Why 2025 was a year of endings and shedding, and how 2026 opens the door to greater freedom, courage, and abundance
How to tell the difference between intuition, imagination, and genuine guidance from your spirit guides
If you’ve been feeling called to let go, trust yourself more deeply, or notice the signs around you, this episode will help you step into 2026 with clarity, confidence, and calm.
If you would like to learn more about Cristina’s services and meditations, visit her website cristinaleeson.com or innerlighthc.com. Her book Live in the Light, Respect the Dark can be purchased here or wherever books are sold.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #55 – “When Gratitude is Hard” with Eve Turek or Episode #22 - “Heart-Centered Advice That Will Change Your Life with Shawn Elizabeth George.”
Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or on Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline in the US is 1-877-565-8860, and in Canada, it is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #Podcast #psychic #medium #MeditationPractice #SettingBoundaries #OvercomingUncertainty #SelfCareStrategies #NavigatingChallenges #SpiritualGrowth #SpiritGuides #Intuition #EnergyHealing #RaisingYourVibration #LivingInAlignment #SignsFromTheUniverse

A Lullaby for 2025: Vienna Teng on Music, Hope & Connection

A Lullaby for 2025: Vienna Teng on Music, Hope, and Connection
 ”I see you, and I'm telling you my story in hopes that you'll see me. And from there, there's so many more things that are possible.”
In this conversation, Donna Ferris sits down with singer, songwriter, and pianist Vienna Teng—an artist whose music has long served as a bridge between people, ideas, and lived experiences.
From her iconic song City Hall, inspired by the legalization of same-sex marriage in San Francisco, to her newest work We’ve Got You (released November 2024), Vienna explores how music can hold complexity, invite empathy, and create space for honest conversation—especially in divided times.
Together, Donna and Vienna talk about:
Writing songs that start conversations, not arguments
Holding two truths at once in polarized times
Music as modern-day folk storytelling
Ending with a tender lullaby sung by Vienna, this conversation offers a moment of gentleness, meaning, and hope for the holiday season.
If you would like to learn about Vienna’s music or upcoming concerts, visit viennateng.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #68 “Breaking the Trance of Unworthiness” or Episode #60 “How to Cope in a Changing World” with Sharon Salzberg. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing it with others. Thank you.
If you would like to join Donna’s free weekly centering group, email donna@donnayferris.com. To find her guided meditations on Insight Timer, visit https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris. To learn about Donna’s books, coaching services, and events, visit donnayferris.com. Follow Donna on Instagram, BlueSky and YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #Podcast #DonnaFerris #ViennaTeng #MusicHeals #HolidayListening #HoldingTwoTruths #CityHallSong #IndieFolk #MusicAndMeaning #lgbtq #samesexmarriage #lullaby #goodbye2025 #2025 #lgbtq #connection

How Humor Helps Us Heal with John Kenney

“I grew up among funny people who, the darker the event, the more opportunity for lightness and absurdity, and I've always loved that.”
What if laughter really is a kind of medicine—especially when we’re experiencing loss? In this episode of Bounce Back Stronger, Donna sits down with Thurber Prize-winning humorist and New Yorker columnist John Kenney about his latest novel, I See You’ve Called In Dead.
With warmth, wit, and a generous dose of honesty, John shares how humor doesn’t erase our pain—but it can make healing feel more possible.
In this episode, we explore:
How humor supports emotional healing
Life after loss and rediscovering joy
Why writing helps us process grief
What midlife reinvention really looks like
Letting go, starting over, and finding purpose again
If you’re moving through a tough season—or simply need a good laugh with a side of wisdom—this conversation is for you.
To learn more about John's writing and books, click here.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode #55 – When Gratitude is Hard and  Episode #79 – Finding Inner Peace and Joy with Agapi Stassinopoulos. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To join our weekly centering group on Sundays at 4 PM EST or our email list, email donna@donnayferris.com. You can also follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here, or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #JohnKenney #HealingJourney #LifeAfterDivorce #NewBeginnings #GriefSupport #MidlifeReinvention #HumorHeals #WritersOfInstagram #EmotionalHealing #BreakupRecovery #HeartbreakHealing #StartOverAgain #MindfulnessTools #WritingThroughIt

How To Move Forward With A Broken Heart w/ Gwen Florio

“Astoundingly, you find joy, and it coexists with the grief…It's like the grief kind of moves over a little bit and lets joy in.”
If you’re doing life with a broken heart this holiday season, this episode is for you.
In this moving conversation, Donna talks with award-winning journalist and novelist Gwen Florio about what it means to keep showing up for life after loss.
Gwen shares her experience of losing her child, the suffocating early days of grief, and the small, stubborn acts of living—walking, traveling, noticing beauty in unexpected places—that helped her breathe again.
Together they explore:
How people actually survive deep grief
What helps (and what doesn’t) when every day feels impossible
The surprising relief of being somewhere no one knows your story
How creativity and movement open new pathways in the brain
The unexpected moments of beauty that kept her afloat
Why community matters more than perfect words
If you’re navigating the world with a tender or tired spirit, Gwen’s story offers truth, compassion, and the reminder that grit and grace can coexist.
To learn more about Gwen’s books, writing, and events, please visit gwenflorio.net.
If you found this episode helpful, you might want to listen to Episode 57 “Nevertheless She Persisted” with Jenny Lisk, Episode 13 “Finding Happiness After Loss” with Maria Sirois, and Episode 5, “Leave Guilt Behind” with Erin Byron. Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this podcast with others. Thank you.
If you are interested in guided meditations, visit donnayferris.com/meditations or insighttimer.com/donnayferris. To join our free weekly Centering Group, please email donna@donnayferris.com.
Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. Click here to subscribe to, or read our latest newsletter. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here, or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #GriefJourney #BrokenHeartedButBrave #GriefSupport #HolidayGrief #HealingAfterLoss #GwenFlorio #DonnaFerris #Resilience #MoveForward #Grief #childloss

Imagine It Working Out: A Hope Meditation

“When we let go of fear, we make room for hope to rise."
When life feels uncertain, it’s easy to get caught in fear and worry about what’s next. This guided meditation helps you reconnect to your inner strength and remember that healing can begin with one mindful breath.
Through calming body awareness, gentle visualization, and soft encouragement, you’ll learn to release tension, quiet self-doubt, and open to possibility. Whether you’re facing heartbreak, burnout, or simply a heavy day, this practice reminds you that light lives within you — and every moment offers a new beginning.
If you are interested in other guided meditations, visit donnayferris.com/meditations or insighttimer.com/donnayferris. To join our free weekly Centering Group, please email donna@donnayferris.com. Finally, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger – Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens can be purchased here. To join our email list or get a list of upcoming events, visit donnayferris.com
Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, or YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here, or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
Music: Remembering by LNDO.
#BounceBackStronger #HopeMeditation #GuidedMeditation #Mindfulness #HealingJourney #EmotionalResilience #InnerPeace #CalmMind #PositiveEnergy #SelfCare

Finding Inner Peace and Joy with Agapi Stassinopoulos

“Build your portable paradise — that inner spa where you can return to peace no matter what happens around you.”
In this episode, Donna sits down with bestselling author and spiritual teacher Agapi Stassinopoulos to explore how to find calm, connection, and courage in everyday life.
Agapi—known for her books Wake Up to the Joy of You and Speaking with Spirit—discusses how to release fear, build our “inner spa,” and reconnect to the divine energy that is always with us.
This conversation is for anyone seeking more peace, gratitude, and resilience—especially when life feels overwhelming.
For more information about Agapi and her books and talks, visit wakeuptothejoyofyou.com. You can also follow Agapi on Instagram @agapisees
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode 27 - “Coming Home to Ourselves with Stephen Cope.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
If you would like to join Donna’s free weekly centering group, email donna@donnayferris.com. To find her guided meditations on Insight Timer, visit https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris.
To learn about Donna’s books, services, and events, visit donnayferris.com. Follow Donna on Instagram and YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
#BounceBackStronger #AgapiStassinopoulos #SpeakingWithSpirit #Mindfulness #InnerPeace #Resilience #SpiritualGrowth #Prayer #WakeUpToTheJoyOfYou #DonnaYFerris #resilience #meditation #joy #spirit #peace

A Simple Path to Financial Freedom with Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter

“ The more things that you have, the more things you have to deal with.”
What if the secret to a happier, freer life isn’t earning more—but needing less?
This week, adventurers and authors Cindy Ross and Todd Gladfelter join host Donna Ferris to share how they built a meaningful, debt-free life rooted in simplicity, nature, and gratitude. From hiking the Appalachian Trail to growing their own food and raising world-schooled kids, their journey proves that minimalism isn’t about deprivation—it’s about choice, freedom, and joy.
Their story reminds us that less can truly be more. Whether you’re longing to simplify your life, escape the cycle of debt, or rediscover what really matters, this episode will provide simple ways to immediately improve your life.
To learn more about Cindy and Todd, and Cindy’s books and writing, please visit cindyrosstraveler.com.
If you enjoyed this episode, you might want to listen to Episode 15 “Breaking Broadway Barriers with Madison Ferris” or Episode 34 “Fred Rogers and the Healing Power of Fatherhood with Art Carey.” Also, please consider subscribing to this podcast, leaving a review, and sharing this episode with others. Thank you.
If you would like to join Donna’s free weekly centering group, email donna@donnayferris.com. To find her guided meditations on Insight Timer, visit https://insighttimer.com/donnayferris. Donna’s latest book, Bounce Back Stronger—Finding Peace and Purpose No Matter What Happens, can be purchased here. To get her blog newsletter delivered to your inbox, visit donnayferris.com. Follow Donna on Instagram, Bluesky, and YouTube @donnayferris or Facebook @donnayatesferris.
And if you’re looking for mental health resources, please click here or reach out to your insurance provider. If you are in crisis, please dial 911, go to your nearest emergency room, or dial 988 for the suicide hotline (US only). If you are transgender, the 24/7 Trans Lifeline is 1-877-330-6366.
#Minimalism #SimpleLiving #BounceBackStronger #MindfulLiving #FreedomThroughSimplicity #Homesteading #DebtFreeLiving #CindyRoss #ToddGladfelter #DonnaFerrisPodcast #IntentionalLiving #SimplicityMovement #FinancialFreedom