Summary
In this conversation, Holly Porter interviews Bernadette O'Brien Thompson, an intuitive and ancestral healing coach, who shares her profound journey through grief and transformation following the loss of her husband. Bernadette discusses the importance of understanding ancestral trauma, the role of spirituality in healing, and her work as a death doula. She emphasizes the power of compassion and forgiveness in the healing process and encourages listeners to explore their family histories to gain insight into their own lives. The conversation concludes with a message on the importance of storytelling and the healing power of understanding one’s ancestry.
Key Takeaways
Bernadette’s healing journey began with her husband’s struggle with alcoholism and his subsequent passing.
Ancestral healing enables individuals to understand family trauma and how it impacts their present lives.
Spiritual awakening can lead to deep personal transformation and greater self-awareness.
Forgiveness and compassion are essential elements of the healing process.
Everyone experiences trauma and grief; recognizing this can help foster empathy.
As a death doula, Bernadette supports individuals through the dying process and helps them understand life cycles.
Connecting with ancestors can offer comfort and guidance during difficult times.
Understanding one’s personal and ancestral story is crucial for healing and growth.
Ancestral patterns can shape current behaviors and relationships.
Healing retreats focused on ancestral stories can be deeply transformative for participants.
Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Ancestral Healing and Grief Coaching
01:45 – Bernadette’s Journey Through Grief and Transformation
08:22 – The Importance of Understanding Ancestral Trauma
10:39 – The Spiritual Awakening and Its Impact
18:32 – The Role of a Death Doula
20:59 – Overcoming the Fear of Death
23:08 – Final Thoughts on Healing and Ancestral Stories
25:52 – RNR Outro
Bio
Bernadette O'Brien Thompson is an Intuitive Ancestral Healing and Grief Coach, certified in Grief and Trauma. She supports individuals who have experienced Spiritually Transformative Experiences or who are navigating profound grief. With a degree in Psychology and over 20 years of experience in trauma-informed work, Bernadette has helped people of all ages through life’s most challenging transitions. She is a Certified End-of-Life Doula through the University of Vermont.
Bernadette is also the host of the podcast How I Made It Through and has been a featured speaker at the International Association for Near-Death Studies (IANDS) Conferences in 2024 and 2025. As a genealogist, she is skilled at identifying how trauma manifests in genealogical records, helping families uncover not just pain but also resilience in their ancestral lineage.
Links
Bernadette O'Brien Thompson – Tell Me Our Story, Ancestral Healing
🌐 Website: https://www.tellmeourstory.com/
📘 Facebook: Tell Me Our Story
📸 Instagram: @tellmeourstoryancestralhealing
▶️ YouTube: @HowIMadeItThroughPodcast
Connect with Holly Porter and Retreat RNR
🔗 LinkedIn: Holly Porter | Retreat RNR
🎵 TikTok: @retreatrnr | @r
▶️ YouTube: @retreatrnr
📸 Instagram: @retreatrnr | @hollyporterinternational
📘 Facebook: Holly Ann Porter
