The Healing With Horses Compass
The Herd is Calling
After the Silence: Our 14-Month Journey Through Loss & Growth
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After the Silence: Our 14-Month Journey Through Loss & Growth

We planned for three weeks. We stayed away for over a year. Here’s why.
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What happens when life pulls you into the depths of loss, transition, and unexpected change?

You emerge—changed. After 14 months away, we’re finally ready to share why we left, what we learned, and why waiting is no longer an option.

✅ How grief and transformation shape the path forward—even when you don’t choose it

✅ The power of Why Wait?—and how it’s reshaping everything we do

✅ The role of community, not just as support, but as a true coalition of belonging

✅ Why stepping away was the only way to step forward

We thought we’d be gone for a few weeks. Instead, life unraveled, reassembled, and left us with a deeper understanding of what really matters. This episode is about more than where we’ve been—it’s about the universal experience of change, the kind that forces you to pause, reassess, and step back into the world with a new calling.

This isn’t just our story. It’s an invitation—to reflect, to connect, and to move toward what’s calling you…..Why Wait?!

⏳ Episode Breakdown

00:00 | Welcome Back – Our 14-Month Journey
Why we disappeared, what changed, and why we’re finally back.

00:45 | The Deep Work of Grief & Transition
How loss, change, and uncertainty shaped our path forward.

01:55 | Expanding Our Vision: Substack & The Healing With Horses Compass
Why we’re moving beyond social media and how you can join us.

05:09 | The Reality of Commuting, Relocation & Life Overhaul
How four hours a day in the car led to a complete lifestyle shift.

08:17 | Returning to Horsemanship: A Transformational Training Experience
Lessons learned from rehabilitating client horses—and ourselves.

12:32 | The MSW Journey: Pursuing Higher Education in Mental Health
Why Victoria returned to school to deepen her impact in equine-assisted therapy.

17:57 | The Hawaiian Dream That Almost Happened
Our time at Hana Ranch and the opportunity that nearly changed everything.

21:14 | Letting Go: When a Child Leaves Home
The emotional reality of Jacob’s move and navigating major life transitions.

25:26 | Moving Through Change: The Grief & Growth Paradox
Why transition isn’t just about loss—but also about expansion.

26:22 | Unexpected Loss & the Weight of Goodbye
The passing of Pilgrim and Blue—and what it meant for our family.

31:20 | New Paths, New Possibilities: The Power of Rebuilding
How we turned obstacles into stepping stones toward something greater.

32:55 | Higher Education, Part Two: The OTD Journey
Josh’s decision to enter an accelerated doctoral program for occupational therapy.

36:40 | A Milestone Moment: James’ College Journey
How our eldest took a bold step into his future at the University of Oregon.

39:18 | Merging Mental Health & Equine Therapy: A New Approach
How evidence-based therapeutic techniques integrate with equine-assisted healing.

44:51 | The Ripple Effect of Healing: Why This Work Matters
How one person’s transformation can impact generations to come.

51:10 | The Future of Community & Connection: Why We Can’t Wait
The importance of building coalitions, forging deep relationships, and taking action now.

🎧 Tune in, join the conversation, and step into a new era of healing, connection, and purpose.

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