Explore every episode of the podcast In The Blink Podcast

Jennifer MacNiven shares her transformative journey from a career in physical therapy to a path of self-healing and discovery. She opens up about overcoming PTSD, anxiety, and depression through alternative therapies, including plant medicines, yoga, and travel. With experiences spanning 32 countries and 49 states, Jennifer discusses the importance of self-love, feminine energy, and holistic healing. She also introduces her book, Mind, Body, Soul Mate, which explores personal growth and relationships.

“My yoga teacher training, especially in myofascial yin yoga, deepened my understanding of meditation and body awareness. It’s like a deep massage that helps release trauma, often bringing unexpected emotions to the surface.”

1. Transition from Medical Device Job to Healing Journey

• 13 years in physical therapy and neurological rehab before experiencing burnout.

• A pivotal shift led her to photography and yoga teacher training in Bali.

• Struggled with anxiety, PTSD, and adrenal fatigue before embracing self-healing.

2. Healing Journey and Discovering Empathy

• Learning to embrace her empathic nature and overcome personal trauma.

• The impact of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness on emotional well-being.

• Finding purpose through photography and working with entrepreneurs.

3. Trauma and Healing through Plant Medicines

• Overcoming trauma from a past attack and understanding how the body stores trauma.

• Healing through psilocybin therapy, ayahuasca, and San Pedro.

• Importance of somatic therapy in conjunction with plant medicine for deeper healing.

4. Understanding Feminine Energy and Self-Love

• The challenge of embracing softness in a society driven by achievement.

• Learning self-acceptance and the power of receiving.

• Cultural contrasts between Eastern and Western perspectives on feminine energy.

5. Transition to Photography and Women’s Empowerment

• Shifting from medical work to photography, focusing on personal transformation.

• Empowering women through brand photography and self-expression.

• Attracting positive energy and living a fulfilling life through joy and beauty.

Connect with Jennifer:

Connect with Meagan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/
Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-oberle-0538038/

Hi, I’m Meagan Oberle, host of In the Blink. In this episode, I talk with Ray Caruso about the tragic loss of his son, Gavin, in a hiking accident. Ray shares his journey through grief, the support he received, and how he’s finding healing through music and community.

"I think this life is bigger than any one person or any one thing. And even though I'm not spiritual and I don't believe in an afterlife, there's still something I believe in the universe."
— Ray Caruso

• The Accident & Its Impact

• Gavin and his girlfriend, Courtney, were caught in a thunderstorm while hiking.

• A slip on wet rocks led to Gavin’s fatal fall.

• Courtney survived and later became an EMT, inspired by the experience.

• Coping with Loss

• Ray struggled to face the reality of Gavin’s death.

• He avoided identifying Gavin’s body and still hasn’t opened his remains.

• I share my own experience with loss and dealing with Bob’s remains.

• Healing Through Rituals & Community

• My therapist emphasized the importance of rituals, like spreading ashes.

• Ray plans to honor Gavin by spreading his ashes in San Diego.

• We discuss the emotional challenges of preparing for closure.

• Personal Growth & Reflection

• Ray shares how his relationship with Gavin evolved over time.

• Courtney’s perspective helped Ray see his son in a new light.

• We talk about the role of community in the grieving process.

• Creativity & Healing

• Ray wrote a song, Cross the Line, to process his grief.

• Music became a therapeutic outlet for him.

• We explore how creative expression helps in healing.

Connect with Ray

Connect with Meagan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/
Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-oberle-0538038/

In this deeply personal episode of In the Blink, I open up about my late husband Bob’s battle with COVID-19, his hospitalization, and the heartbreaking moments that followed. I share how I navigated the emotional toll, including my struggles with PTSD, and how the love and support from friends and family carried me through. I also reveal the life-changing accident that led to the loss of my left eye and how these profound experiences have shaped my journey toward healing and advocacy. Through this podcast, I hope to honor Bob’s legacy, help others in their own grief, and provide support to those in need of prosthetic eyes. This episode is about loss and abundance—two sides of the same coin—and the power of storytelling in finding resilience and healing.

“People said it was necessary, and I believe it brought closure. It was a beautiful celebration where stories were shared, keeping his legacy alive—especially for Beau to understand how special his dad was.” - Meagan

Key Topics Discussed:

Bob’s Illness and Initial Hospitalization

• I recount the early signs of Bob’s illness and the moment we realized he needed hospital care.

• I describe the peaceful and beautiful end to Bob’s life, playing our wedding song and working with the palliative care team.

• The emotional impact of his illness, including my PTSD from past hospital experiences.

• The aftermath of Bob’s hospitalization—processing the loss, experiencing breakdowns, and the journey to acceptance.

Life During COVID-19

• The unexpected silver linings: spending quality time as a family and forming a close-knit “COVID crew.”

• Bob’s more flexible work schedule gave us rare moments of togetherness.

• Despite initial fears, we thought we had recovered from COVID-19—until Bob’s condition suddenly worsened three weeks later.

Bob’s Hospitalization and ICU Transfer

• The devastating moment when Bob was admitted and I couldn’t be with him due to strict protocols.

• His initial signs of improvement gave me hope, but his health continued to decline.

• Bob’s resistance to being moved to the ICU and his eventual decision to be intubated.

Medical Challenges and Holding Onto Hope

• Bob’s transition to a ventilator and my unwavering belief in his recovery.

• Fighting for his transfer to Anschutz Medical Center for specialized care.

• My obsession with medical data, spending every waking moment at the hospital, and receiving conflicting updates about Bob’s condition.

Honoring Bob’s Legacy and Moving Forward

• The importance of closure and celebrating Bob’s life through storytelling.

• Why I started In the Blink—to share my trauma journey and inspire healing in others.

• How I’ve turned my personal tragedy into advocacy by helping others receive prosthetic eyes.

Connect with Meagan:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meaganoberle/
Linked: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meagan-oberle-0538038/