VS Grenier ~ Award-Winning Author, Speaker & Podcaster

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We're All Souls: The Spiritual Thread of Mental Health with Carolyn Coleridge

By Virginia Grenier I’ve long believed that healing is more than just symptom reduction. It’s not just about coping skills or cognitive restructuring—it’s about uncovering the deeper threads that shape who we are and how we move through the world. That belief is exactly why this latest episode of Language of the Soul resonated so deeply with me. Our guest, Carolyn Coleridge, is a psychotherapist, intuitive, and healer who has spent over 30 years at the intersection of traditional therapy and spiritual insight. In our conversation, Carolyn shared something that’s stuck with me since we recorded: “We’re all souls. That’s my premise.” It sounds simple, but when you really sit with it, that one sentence flips the entire clinical model on its head. What if instead of viewing our clients—or ourselves—as broken minds to be fixed, we saw each of us as whole souls navigating a very human experience? That’s the lens Carolyn brings into her work and into this conversation. And honestl...

Unmasking Narcissism: Lessons on Healing, Boundaries, and the Human Condition

When I first sat down with Dominick to interview Stuart Wood, neuroscientist and author of Escaping the Void: How to Support Victims Out of Emotionally Abusive Relationships , I thought I knew what to expect. I’ve been a victim advocate for years. I’ve sat with survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, and I’ve seen the way emotional abuse erodes someone from the inside out. But there was something about this conversation—something about tying narcissism not just to relationships, but to culture at large—that resonated with me on a personal and professional level. Stuart came to the topic of narcissism the way so many of us do—not through clinical theory at first, but through experience. He supported a friend through four years of leaving and healing after an abusive narcissistic marriage. And from there, he wrote a book that demystifies the confusing behaviors and manipulations so often minimized or dismissed, even by victims themselves. Why Narcissism Hits Home I come ...

Awakening Intuition: Tuning into Your Inner Guidance with Cheryl Murphy

There’s something undeniably powerful about being reminded that we all have intuition—that inner voice whispering before our louder, analytical minds have time to doubt or override it. Our recent Language of the Soul episode with evidential medium and psychic Cheryl Murphy became a deeply affirming conversation about that voice, what it means to trust it, and how tuning into it changes not just how we see the world, but how we live in it. Cheryl has studied metaphysics for more than 20 years, channeling departed loved ones and helping people navigate life’s turning points. She calls herself a clairvoyant psychic medium—meaning she works with three distinct, yet interconnected gifts: clairvoyance (seeing information as images, colors, or visions), psychic energy reading (sensing the auric field), and mediumship (connecting with those who have crossed over). For Cheryl, this work isn’t about wielding power or sensationalized spectacle; it’s about service and connection, meeting p...

Getting Unstuck: From Fear to Love in a World Gone Sideways

Sometimes, we wake up to find the world changed overnight. At least, it feels that way. In reality, shifts like the ones we’ve been living through don’t happen in an instant—they build over years, quietly at first, until one day it’s undeniable. We find ourselves staring at headlines that make us feel like we’ve stepped into an alternate reality, and the shock is so great we don’t even know how to respond. That’s where this episode of Language of the Soul began: with the feeling of paralysis. Dominick called it out plainly—this chaos is not accidental. It’s part of a strategy as old as authoritarianism itself: overwhelm the public so thoroughly that the shock itself prevents action. When the headlines are one absurdity after another, people shut down. That’s when it becomes easiest to normalize what should never be normalized. I think most of us have felt that paralysis at some point over the past weeks. Whether you lean left, right, or somewhere in between, fear and exhaustion wear...

Why We Keep Telling Stories: Writing, Humanity, and the Dark Half of Ourselves

Every time I sit down to write, I’m reminded that story is more than entertainment—it’s a mirror. Sometimes it’s a clear reflection; other times it’s warped, holding up the parts of us we’d rather not acknowledge. That tension between what we show the world and what we keep hidden is what keeps me coming back to the page. When I interviewed author John Bukowski for our Language of the Soul podcast, we spent as much time exploring that concept as we did talking about his thrillers ( Project Suicide and Checkout Time ). John’s writing is rooted in science and history, and yet he’s quick to admit that fiction—especially thrillers—offers a safe place to grapple with things that would otherwise be too unsettling to face head-on. He reminded me of something I first learned reading Stephen King as a teenager: good stories don’t just entertain; they confront us with our shadow side. King famously said that writers must let out the “dark half” of themselves—the primal thoughts and impulses...

The Healing Power of Story: Processing Grief Through Words, Connection, and Courage

Grief has a way of pulling the air out of the room. It changes you—physically, emotionally, spiritually—and it doesn’t follow any neat, linear path, no matter how many well-intentioned people tell you it has “stages.” I know this not only from my studies as a counselor but also from personal experience. Losing a parent, or anyone who is part of the fabric of your everyday life, tears at the narrative of who we are and how we exist in the world. When I spoke with Debbie Heisler on our Language of the Soul podcast, I was struck by how her own story of unimaginable loss led her to the very work that now helps others heal. Debbie is an author ( Faith in the Middle , Whispers of Healing and Hope Grief Journal ), a grief coach, and a community advocate who has transformed deep personal pain into a source of connection and hope for others. Her story is tragic—her son was murdered in a custody dispute—but what stood out to me wasn’t just the loss itself. It was what she chose to do wit...

Storytelling, Mindfulness, and What Makes Us Human in a Tech-Driven World

In a time when artificial intelligence is advancing at lightning speed, many of us find ourselves quietly asking: What does it mean to be human? Amidst the algorithms, the data, and the drive for efficiency, how do we stay connected to the qualities that make our lives rich with meaning? One timeless answer lies in something we’ve carried with us since the dawn of time: the stories we tell. Stories are more than entertainment. They are the glue that binds us to one another, the mirrors in which we glimpse our purpose, and the maps that help us navigate life’s complexities. In our latest Language of the Soul conversation, we sit down with Denise Piles—mindfulness coach, former nun, and seasoned corporate professional—to reflect on how storytelling and mindfulness can help us stay rooted in our shared humanity, even in the fast-paced world of technology. Denise’s journey is remarkable. From a life shaped by faith and service to a career at Microsoft, she has walked two seemingly diff...

Art, Spirit, and the Journey to Our Authentic Selves

What if creativity isn’t just a talent or a pastime, but a sacred path that helps us remember who we truly are? What if the act of making art—whether through paint, music, or words—could reconnect us with our deepest self and with something greater than ourselves? In a world that often rushes past mystery in pursuit of certainty, conversations about art and spirituality offer a chance to pause, breathe, and wonder. They remind us that creation and contemplation are intertwined. Art has long been a universal language, bridging the visible and the invisible, the personal and the collective. When we engage with it fully—not as a product to perfect, but as a process to trust—we open ourselves to profound transformation. This is the heart of our latest Language of the Soul dialogue with the luminous artist Joan Marie. From the awe that stirred in her heart beneath Michelangelo’s Sistine ceiling to the ethereal, soul-connected works she creates today, Joan’s journey offers a beautiful exa...

Creativity, Storytelling, and the Call for Authentic Expression

What if the stories we tell — through words, song, movement, or image — are not just entertainment, but essential tools for preserving culture, healing, and imagining a better world? In an age of constant content and fleeting trends, reclaiming authentic creative expression feels more urgent than ever. We live in a time when platforms like TikTok and Instagram promise instant recognition, yet too often reward mimicry over meaning. For the younger generation especially, navigating this landscape of performance and consumption can blur the lines between true artistry and hollow validation. And for all of us, the question arises: Are we creating from a place of purpose, or simply reacting to the noise around us? At its best, storytelling — whether through theater, dance, poetry, or song — reminds us of who we are. It roots us in history, invites us into empathy, and challenges us to contribute something genuine to the collective human story. It’s not about perfect technique or polished ...

Stories That Awaken the Soul: A Journey with Evan McDermott

What if the stories we tell — and the ones we choose to listen to — could change not just our perspective, but our very path in life? In a world where noise often drowns out meaning, returning to the simplicity and depth of authentic storytelling can reconnect us with what truly matters. This week on Language of the Soul , we sit down with Evan McDermott, poet, tarot reader, and host of the Fifth Dimension podcast, for a conversation that feels like sitting by the fire and remembering what it means to be human. Evan’s life and work remind us that the ancient practice of weaving narrative — through myth, poetry, or spiritual exploration — is more than art. It’s a vital act of self-remembering, of reclaiming our agency in a world that often tries to define us by labels, roles, or distractions. Our discussion with Evan touches on many layers: from the dualities of love and tyranny, to how compassion becomes a compass when the outer world feels divided or uncertain. We reflect on how st...

The Stories That Shape Us: Myth, Scripture, and the Search for Meaning

There’s something timeless about the stories humanity has carried forward — from whispered myths by firelight to sacred texts handed down through the centuries. These narratives weren’t just entertainment; they were maps for the soul, helping us make sense of the world, ourselves, and what lies beyond what we can see. Today, as we navigate a complex, fast-moving world, these ancient stories still offer guidance — if we know how to look. In our latest Language of the Soul episode, we explore this idea with Michael McPadden, a former naval aviator turned mythologist and author of Genesis to Revelation . Michael’s journey alone is remarkable: from piloting aircraft across the skies to charting the depths of human consciousness through biblical and mythological narratives. His work invites us to see old stories with fresh eyes — not as distant religious teachings or dusty legends, but as living allegories that speak to who we are and what we’re called to become. This conversation ...

Unraveling Spiritual Messages

At every stage of our lives, we find ourselves searching for guidance — something to help us make sense of the world’s chaos and our place within it. Sometimes that guidance comes from the people around us. Sometimes it comes from the quiet corners of our own hearts. And sometimes, it comes in the form of symbols: a dream we can’t shake, an animal crossing our path at just the right moment, or a card drawn from a deck that seems to speak directly to our soul. I’ve always believed that the stories we tell — and the symbols we live by — shape not only how we see the world but how we move through it. In my most recent reflections on Language of the Soul , I found myself drawn to the powerful connections between ancient systems like Tarot and I Ching, and the personal, intimate ways we make meaning from our lives. There’s something timeless about these tools — not as fortune-telling gimmicks, but as mirrors for our inner landscapes. What struck me most in these conversations is how...

The Influence of Storytelling in Politics

The art of storytelling in politics is as ancient as politics itself, but in today's media-driven world, its influence has reached new heights. From the inception of political campaigns, narratives have been crafted to appeal to emotions, rally support, and discredit opponents. This episode sheds light on how storytelling is wielded both as a weapon and a shield, altering the course of political discourse. Celebrities like Patricia Heaton and Janet Jackson have made surprising public statements that underscore the media's powerful influence on public opinion. Their remarks highlight the critical need for discernment in a polarized media landscape. The episode explores the erosion of journalistic integrity, where the rush to break news has transformed information into entertainment, blurring the lines between fact and fiction. In a world where news organizations are increasingly aligned with political agendas, the public's trust in journalism has been severely undermined...

Finding Joy in Creative Expression

Have you ever wondered what it takes to transition from a successful business career to a life brimming with art and conservation? Angela Van Bremen’s story is a testament to the magic that happens when you follow your heart. Angela's story begins with her time as a co-owner of a dental supply company. Despite the success and stability that came with her business career, Angela felt a deep longing for creative expression and a connection to nature. This inner calling led her to explore her passions for writing, music, and wildlife rehabilitation. Angela's journey is a testament to the idea that it's never too late to follow your heart and pursue your true passions. One of the key themes of the episode is Angela's work with the Procyon Wildlife Rehabilitation Center. Her love for wildlife was ignited by a baby squirrel named Sammy, who she rescued and fostered. This experience opened the door to a new world of wildlife conservation, where Angela has made significa...