Get a vision that is bigger than your story with Carey Conley and Jill McMahon

Learn From People Who Lived it

Get a vision that is bigger than your story with Carey Conley and Jill McMahon

In this episode, Mathew, Jill, and Carey discuss why we are moving away from the phrase “committed suicide” and towards “died by suicide," harmful myths around suicide, and how the surviving family members are impacted. Carey lost her husband, Ross, in 2014 and just three years later lost her son, Cole, at age 26 - both to suicide. She tells us about her feelings towards them then and now, the time leading up to their passings, and the similarities and differences in her husband's and son's struggles. Mathew and Carey also talk about how their lost loved ones still show up to them, how loss changes purpose over time, and practical tips to feel and then cycle through tough emotions.

After the conversation with Carey, Mathew and Jill talk about her upcoming book, Bulletproof: Healing After Gun Violence and Trauma. When Jill was 6 years old, she was a victim of gun violence when she and her mother were carjacked. This experience, as well as her work with other trauma victims, has led her to compile this guide to what works for healing, how to survive it, and how great life can be on the other side. Jills also talks about the political, societal, and physiological factors that make gun violence trauma so unique, the solutions for healing that she puts forward in the book, and how to start healing.

Jill McMahon is a licensed professional counselor focusing on grief, trauma, and loss due to suicide. She had been working with families and survivors of suicide for 20 years. Jill owns a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, and spends her time providing suicide prevention presentations and training around the community, as well as speaking about survivors of suicide and complicated grief, both nationally and internationally.

Carey Conley is a vision expert who has taught her exercises to thousands of people. Alongside her daughter, Laurel, Carey is focused on helping people find vision and purpose through their books, Vision is Victory and Keep Looking Up, and her podcast, Mental Health Breakthroughs For Young Adults & Families.

“Time doesn’t heal. Making meaning does.”

In this episode, you'll hear:

• How and why are we changing the language we use when discussing suicide?
• How suicidal ideations and actions typically ramp up in struggling people
• The power of talking about loved ones who have died by suicide
• The importance of having clear yet flexible visions for your life
• Practical ways to get unstuck and grow after grief

Later in this episode, you'll also hear:

• Jill's personal experience with gun violence
• The unique trauma gun violence survivors and their families experience
• Practical tools and tips for caregivers and survivors

Follow the podcast:

• Listen on Apple Podcasts (link: https://apple.co/3s1YH7h)
• Listen on iHeart (link: https://ihr.fm/3MEY7FM)
• Listen on Spotify (Link: https://spoti.fi/3yMmQCE)

Resources:

• CareyConley.com
• Jill McMahon Counseling
• Vision is Victory

Connect with Mathew Blades:

• Twitter - twitter.com/MathewBlades
• Instagram - instagram.com/MathewBladesmedia/
• Facebook - facebook.com/mathewbladesmedia/
• Website - learnfrompeoplewholivedit.com/

Additional Credits:

LFPWLI is managed by Sam Robertson