This episode contains discussions about terminal illness, loss, grief, and end-of-life planning. These themes may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening and reach out to support if needed.
Welcome to What’s Your Stori?, the podcast where we discover the lives and journeys of inspiring individuals. In this heartfelt episode, host James sits down with Em Melrose, a personal growth and leadership coach, and funeral celebrant, to explore her inspiring journey through grief, transformation, and purpose. Em shares her experiences of balancing corporate life, personal challenges, and her role as a widow and single mother, all while discovering new ways to serve and connect with her community.
From the corporate boardrooms of M&S and DVLA to coaching and crafting meaningful celebrations of life, Em’s story is one of resilience and authenticity. She discusses how losing her husband, Don, reshaped her identity and career path, leading her to embrace imperfection and inspire others.
This episode is a testament to the power of vulnerability, financial planning, and the human spirit's ability to adapt and thrive.
If you enjoyed this episode, leave a review and share it with someone who’d love to hear Em’s inspiring journey!
Chapters
00:00:00 Introduction: Meeting Em Melrose
00:06:00 Discovering Em’s Two Hats: Coach and Celebrant
00:08:00 Childhood and Early Career Aspirations
00:13:00 Lessons from the Corporate World
00:17:00 Transitioning to the DVLA and Public Sector Reflections
00:20:00 Facing Life’s Challenges: Don’s Cancer Diagnosis
00:25:00 Navigating Grief and Identity After Loss
00:33:00 Embracing Coaching and Networking as a Business Owner
00:36:00 Becoming a Celebrant: Honouring Life Through Storytelling
00:42:00 Reflections on Resilience and Authenticity
00:44:00 Final Thoughts
Call to Action:
📩 Reach out to Em Melrose for coaching or celebrant services via Facebook at "Your Celebrant."
🎧 Don't forget to follow and share What's Your Stori for more conversations
