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What do you say to a friend who is grieving a tragic loss? What do you do?

Michelle Cleveland answers these questions and more in her book Steps in the Sand, How to Help a Grieving Friend.

Drawing inspiration from her poem The Beach, Michelle weaves her painful, lived experience with grief and loss with practical advice for anyone who wants to support a grieving friend. Like, what do you say? - or NOT say? What do you do? - or NOT do? We want to be helpful, not hurtful.

In 2016, Michelle endured the heartbreaking loss of two out of her four children to suicide. Although our conversation is more about the beach and how it relates to the grieving process, there is mention of suicide, so please, if this topic is difficult or triggering for you, be mindful to stop and take a self-care break whenever you feel it’s necessary. The beach and I are here for you.

Guest links:
Project 24 Seven app GoFundMe: https://gofund.me/ddd56fb0

Website: https://project24seven.org/

Buy her book Steps in the Sand here: https://www.amazon.com/Steps-sand-help-grieving-friend/dp/B0DD47K772/ref=sr_1_1?sr=8-1

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Ever wonder why so many Florida beach lovers choose to stay put during hurricanes?

In this episode, I reflect on the experience of enduring storms, sharing personal stories from the recent hurricanes Helene and Milton. We explore why we chose to ride out the storms rather than evacuate, driven by our unwavering connection to the beach.

I recount my own hurricane cleanup efforts with friends and how our sense of community keeps us anchored. Guest Jen Hardy offers her insights on why her family decided to hunker down, discussing the extensive preparations and safety measures they've taken. Her perspective provides a glimpse into the sense of security and community support that often outweighs the urge to leave.

Drawing from anecdotes and excerpts from a New Yorker article, I delve into the resilient spirit of Floridians who prepare, hunker down, and ride out the storms, showcasing our unyielding bond with our coastal homes.


Article from the New Yorker magazine: The Relentlessness of Florida Hurricane Season by Carolyn Kormann https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-lede/the-relentlessness-of-florida-hurricane-season

The Jen Hardy Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thejenhardy

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In this episode, I share my eventful month, which included a fabulous trip to Italy, an unexpected bout with the flu, and the devastating and unprecedented impact of Hurricane Helene on our Florida Gulf Coast.

It all started with exploring Venice, Florence, Siena, Sorrento, Capri, and Rome, soaking in historic sites and delicious food, and even finding a few beaches.

Upon returning, I quickly fell ill, causing delays in my podcast schedule, making me fear losing my beach-loving audience. Then Hurricane Helene hit, bringing devastation to the Gulf Coast where many friends and family live, although Jacksonville Beach was relatively unscathed.

I reflect on the destruction of our beach communities, how we prepare for hurricanes, and how we maintain resilience in tough times.

Through it all, I find solace in the beach, which reminds us of its healing power. I hope this episode offers a bit of hope and connection for everyone facing their own storms.

To thank my loyal listeners, I’m offering a small beachy gift to those who message me at paige@thebeachspeaks.com

The beach is speaking.
Are you listening?

Mentioned in this episode:
Jamaican Beach Lifeguard Vibes: Stories of Heroic Rescues, Coconut Climbing, and Scuba Adventures with Oneike Jackson: https://www.buzzsprout.com/357242/episodes/13491902

PODCAST LINKS:

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• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
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In this episode, we explore the remarkable journey of Sindia M. Rivera-Jiménez, Ph.D., a native of Puerto Rico who was born and raised near the ocean. With a deep love for the beach, Sindia built a beautiful life in Puerto Rico, earning a degree in engineering, meeting her husband, and starting a family. The ocean was always a central part of her life.

However, a unique opportunity to advance her career took her away from her beloved beaches to the "swamps" of Central Florida, where she became an Assistant Professor in the Department of Engineering Education and an Affiliate Faculty of the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Florida in Gainesville. Facing the challenge of teaching Chemistry in English—a language she learned later in life—Sindia's story is one of resilience, adaptation, and maintaining her beach-loving spirit.

In this episode, Sindia shares her experience of transitioning from the shores of Puerto Rico to landlocked Central Florida, coping with the distance from family and the ocean, and finding ways to stay connected to her roots.

For all the beach lovers out there who find themselves far from the coast, Sindia offers hope, inspiration, and practical tips for keeping the spirit of the sea alive, no matter where you are.

What do you do when you're landlocked and need to "reach the beach?"
Click the "Send Us a Text Message" at the top of the Summary and let me know!

About my Guest:
Sindia M. Rivera-Jiménez, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Department of Engineering Education
Affiliate Faculty of Chemical Engineering Department
Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering, University of Florida

PODCAST LINKS:

• Support the podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=77845359
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
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This audio version of my podcast newsletter starts with a heartfelt story called "The Water" by Rachel LaPresti, touching on how the beach affects us all. I also dive into Waterlust, an innovative eco-apparel company with a fun facts newsletter —did you know sharks could be exposed to cocaine through pollution? I also talk about my recent paddleboarding adventures at sunrise, complete with coffee, dolphins, and a potential shark sighting!

If more beach is what you crave, sign up for my newsletter at thebeachspeaks.com

Learn more about Waterlust here: https://waterlust.com/
Sign up for my newsletter! https://thebeachspeaks.com/

PODCAST LINKS:

• Support the podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=77845359
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Today, we delve into the powerful concept of "Blue Mind" and the profound impact of water on our well-being. My guest, Amanda Esposito of Northern Tides Studio, shares how she met Wallace J. Nichols, the author of Blue Mind, and how the ocean has shaped her life and artistic expression.

Key Highlights:

1. The legacy of Wallace J. Nichols and the Blue Mind movement

2. Amanda's new ocean-inspired jewelry pieces and their deep connections to Cape Cod and the Jersey Beaches

3. The unpredictability of life and how the ocean teaches us valuable lessons

4. Carrying on the Blue Mind mission and encouraging others to share their water stories

Amanda's heartfelt story reminds us of the importance of cherishing the moments we have with loved ones and the healing power of the ocean. Her unique jewelry creations serve as conversation starters, inviting others to reflect on their connection to water.

We also discuss Jay Nichols's recent passing and our commitment to honoring his life's work by spreading the message of Blue Mind. We encourage you, our listeners, to share your experiences and stories about the transformative effects of being near water.

As always, I appreciate your support and engagement. Please get in touch with me with your stories, questions, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, we can continue to explore and celebrate the profound impact of the beach and ocean on our lives!

Link to our Instagram Live with Wallace J. Nichols: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C4ZU0AOLZ8B/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

To learn more about Amanda's inspiring jewelry pieces and how they embody the essence of the ocean, visit her website https://northerntidesstudio.com/ or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/northerntidesstudio/

PODCAST LINKS:

• Support the podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=77845359
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
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In this episode, I speak with Mary Carroll Moore about her novel Last Bets, set on the Caribbean island of Bonaire. The novel features twists of fate, paranormal elements, high-stakes gambling—and a hurricane! I like to describe it as "Queen's Gambit" meets "White Lotus."

We share some personal anecdotes; I reminisce about playing backgammon with my brother, and we delve into Mary's scuba diving skills and camping experiences. The conversation highlights Mary's deep character development in her writing and her talent as a plein-air painter. I'm reminded of a previous conversation with my guest, Annora, a plein-air painter and how the beach truly connects us all.

• Discover more about Mary Carroll Moore's books and paintings on her website: https://www.marycarrollmoore.com/
• Buy her book here! Last Bets
• Listen to the Three Kitchens Podcast here: https://www.threekitchenspodcast.com/episodes

PODCAST LINKS:

• Support the podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=77845359
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
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Have you ever been at the beach on a full moon?

One of my favorite things to do is sit on the beach and watch the moonrise over the ocean. It elevates my mood and stirs up a feeling of wonder and otherworldliness—watching that bright white globe shining on a velvet black sky, that sparkling trail of light shining across the water following the waves to the shore. It’s just magical—especially when the waves are calm, and no one else is around to disturb the "vibe."

I had been waiting for months to watch the full moon rise, and I finally got my chance; however, when I arrived at the beach, my expectations quickly turned to disappointment. This was not the magical full-moon beach experience I wanted, but it was just what I needed.

Mentioned on the podcast:
Overcoming a Love/Hate Relationship with the Beach: Pam Uzzell

Mary Carroll Moore, Last Bets

PODCAST LINKS:

• Support the podcast on Patreon! https://www.patreon.com/user?u=77845359
• Subscribe to the Podcast: https://thebeachspeaks.com/
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