Welcome to Compass Stories with Veronica Sterling — a podcast about navigating disruption with clarity, connection, and courage. Through honest conversations, storytelling, and reflections from the road, Veronica explores what it means to move forward with purpose during seasons of change. A former hospice CEO, keynote speaker, and creator of The Commitment Compass , Veronica brings listeners into meaningful conversations about resilience, grief, leadership, caregiving, healing, reinvention, and the courage to realign when life feels uncertain. Each week features authentic guest conversations alongside personal travel diary reflections recorded during a cross-country journey in a 42-year-old Airstream motorhome. From national parks to small towns and big cities, these episodes explore the experiences, questions, and moments that shape us most. If you’ve ever felt stuck in transition, burned out, disconnected, or unsure of your next step, Compass Stories offers thoughtful conversations and practical encouragement to help you rediscover meaning, strengthen connection, and move forward with courage. Topics include resilience, purpose, grief and healing, burnout, caregiving, first responder wellness, personal growth, leadership, mental wellness, and navigating life transitions.
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Episode #3
Self Promotion & Insecurity: How to Navigate Doubt and Embrace Your Authentic Story
Sep 28, 202641 minS2
In this engaging conversation, Kelly Roehm emphasizes the importance of redefining self-doubt, embracing fear, and finding balance in self-promotion. She discusses the role of data, the significance of delusion and audacity in pursuing goals, and the responsibility of leaders in fostering confidence within their teams. The dialogue also explores the concept of purpose in work and self-mastery, challenging the notion that fulfillment must come solely from one's job. In this conversation, Kelly Roehm and Veronica Sterling explore the concepts of mattering and purpose in the workplace, discussing the importance of feeling seen and heard. The discussion emphasizes the need for self-awareness, self-advocacy, and the role of leaders in fostering a supportive environment. Kelly shares insights from her coaching experience, highlighting the significance of personal growth and the value of recognizing one's strengths. Guest Bio: Kelly Roehm is the founder of Gumption, a career coaching and personal branding company that helps professionals, women especially, turn the work they're already doing into language that gets them recognized, promoted, and paid what they're worth. She spent 20 years inside corporate HR and talent before she left to build Gumption, so she's sat on the other side of the table and knows exactly what the people making hiring and promotion decisions are actually looking for. She calls her approach speaking to impact: the shift from describing your job to proving what changed because you were in it. These days Kelly lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she runs Gumption and works with clients across the country. Her take is simple: most people aren't behind, they just haven't learned to tell the story of what they've already done. Sound Bites 00:00 "Fear does not mean you aren't qualified." 09:54 "Only sociopaths are never connected to emotion." 17:01 "Be more delusional and audacious." 19:14 "Act as if you've already achieved it." 20:50 "You might not be instantly good at it." 26:28 "Your purpose is much bigger than work." 27:55 "Mattering is a very innate, basic human need." 28:17 "People don't even feel seen or heard." 33:28 "We all can't be Gandhi." 41:46 "You as a leader play a very significant role." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Kelly Roehm's Journey 02:55 Redefining Self-Doubt and Confidence 05:55 The Role of Data in Overcoming Self-Doubt 09:02 Embracing Fear as a Natural Emotion 11:45 The Journey of Realization and Learning 14:57 Navigating Career Transitions and Next Steps 18:03 The Power of Delusion and Audacity 20:55 Leadership's Role in Building Confidence 23:58 Finding Purpose in Work vs. Self-Mastery 27:55 The Importance of Mattering 30:01 Finding Purpose in Work and Life 35:53 Navigating Career Crises 40:57 The Role of Leaders in Employee Well-being 45:57 Self-Advocacy and Team Advocacy 49:06 Coaching and Personal Growth Resources: Kelly’s Website: https://www.get-gumption.com/ Connect with Kelly on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellylroehm/ Connect with Kelly on Instagram: @kelly.gumption Veronica’s Website: https://www.veronicasterling.com Connect with Veronica on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/veronicasterlingspeaks/ Connect with Veronica on Instagram: @veronicasterlingspeaks
He Thought He Had to Win at All Cost - Until Post Traumatic Growth Changed Everything He Knew
Sep 14, 202637 minS2
Chris Perry shares his journey from police officer to senior citizen resource officer, highlighting the importance of forgiveness, balance, and resilience in overcoming trauma and building a meaningful life. Guest Bio: Chris Perry has spent more than 30 years in law enforcement, including with the Cincinnati, Ohio Police Department. He currently serves as the Senior Citizen Resource Officer for Amberley Village - a position he started after just a three days long retirement. Today he provides support and resources to elderly community members, engages in public speaking event to raise awareness about PTSD and mental health ,and advocates for others in need as a member of the Peer Support Team and volunteer for the Alzheimer's Association. Keywords mental health, trauma, resilience, forgiveness, senior care, police, PTSD, growth, balance, purpose Key Topics Chris Perry’s background as a police officer and his transition to senior resource work The importance of building trust and relationships with seniors The impact of trauma and loss on mental health and the journey through PTSD The role of forgiveness in healing emotional wounds The significance of balance and being present in everyday life Lessons learned from overcoming adversity and failure The value of peer support and community in mental health recovery The importance of purpose and continuous growth in later years Takeaways Forgiveness is essential for healing and moving forward. Balance in life and being present can significantly improve mental well-being. Failure is a part of success; persistence and resilience matter. Building trust and relationships can transform community work. Sharing stories and experiences helps others realize they are not alone. Self-care and prioritizing mental health are crucial for sustained well-being. Sound Bites "Isolation kills slowly, but it will." "You have to have enough gas in the tank." "Balance is what life is all about." Resources Connect with Chris Perry: cperry@amberleyvillage.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-perry-5b108887/ Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com
Agency for the Dying Person & Rediscovering Identity After Loss: Insight from Two Death Doulas
Aug 31, 202639 minS2
In this episode of Compass Stories, Veronica talks to Jen Blalock and Shelby Mundy, exploring their personal journeys into this unique profession. The conversation explores grief, identity, and discovering purpose after loss. By sharing a personal story and professional insight, the women reflect on multifaceted role of death doulas, emphasize the importance of emotional and spiritual support in the dying process, societal perceptions of death, and the significance of agency for the dying. Keywords Death Doula, End-of-Life Care, Shamanism, Spiritual Guidance, Personal Agency, Emotional Support, Legacy Projects, Empowerment, Grief, Compassionate Care grief, identity, purpose, death doula, community, festival, mental health, end-of-life planning, healing, spirituality Sound Bites 00:00 "We are not there to heal their bodies." 11:09 "We bring in the spirit and the emotions." 16:27 "It's a very new demographic." 17:25 "We honor and respect all points of view." 20:56 "Death was never on his radar." 27:01 "We can be genuinely who we are." 30:01 "He was living in his full power." 32:37 "He was no longer afraid to die." 35:20 "This was always a part of the plan." 52:38 "Embrace the passage." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Death Doulas 01:29 Personal Journeys to Becoming Death Doulas 06:04 Understanding the Role of a Death Doula 13:02 Agency and Empowerment in the Dying Process 22:07 Shamanism and Spiritual Guidance in Death Doula Work 30:43 Legacy Projects and Lasting Impact 31:14 Navigating Grief and Identity Loss 36:24 Finding Purpose After Loss 38:29 The Before I Die Festival: A Community Conversation 51:02 Embracing Death as a Teacher Resources Before I Die Festival: https://www.beforeidiecincinnati.com Jen and Shelby's Death Doula Work: https://www.deathdoulacincinnati.com International End of Life Doula Association: https://inelda.org/ Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com
Exploring Agency, Identity, Action & Connection: Revealing the goals for Season Two
Aug 24, 202615 minS2
In this episode, Veronica Sterling reflects on the key themes from Season One of Compass Stories, focusing on four pillars: agency, identity, action, and connection. She shares insights gained from her guests, personal blind spots she identified, and lingering questions. Veronica discusses her hopes for Season Two, including new hypotheses to explore. Takeaways Agency is often about recognizing what we can control and what we cannot. Identity plays a crucial role in how we perceive our life stories. Taking action can precede confidence, but what drives that action? Connection with others can enhance our resilience but can also have negative impacts. Exploring the nuances of agency is essential for understanding personal responsibility. The journey of self-discovery is ongoing and requires reflection. Perfectionism can hinder our ability to take action. Our sense of identity can be threatened by both positive and negative changes. Quality connections can either empower or constrain our agency. The exploration of these themes will continue in Season Two. Chapters 00:00 Welcome to Season Two 01:58 Reflections on Season One 02:49 Exploring the Pillars: Agency 07:33 Exploring the Pillars: Identity 10:43 Exploring the Pillars: Action 12:32 Exploring the Pillars: Connection 15:21 Looking Ahead: Season Two Hypotheses Reesources Connect with Veronica: https://www.veronicasterling.com
The Power of Failure: How to Grow Through Life's Storms
Aug 10, 202658 minS1
In this episode, John Kelly shares insights on failure, resilience, and the importance of having tough conversations with others. Discover how embracing failure as a learning tool can transform your life and relationships. Guest Bio: National keynote presenter and law enforcement life coach, Retired Sgt. John Kelly faced several attempts on his life from suspects over his 30 year career in law enforcement. None of these attempts came as close to killing him, as he did to killing himself. "Surviving Self-Inflicted Wounds, A Deputy's Life of Redemption" chronicles his life journey. An alcoholic, addict, and adulterer, confronting PTS, and suicidal ideation, John tears open his life, to provide a roadmap to personal accountability and growth. His “Sometimes Heroes Need Help” Program takes a tactical approach to personal development and team building. John's vulnerability in discussing his failures gives the audience permission to forgive themselves and more importantly the courage and strength to keep getting up, striving to be better today than yesterday. Key Topics The importance of embracing failure as a learning opportunity The role of tough conversations in relationships and growth The myth of bouncing back and the real meaning of resilience The impact of seasons in life and how to navigate them The importance of community and support in overcoming storms The dangers of victim mentality and empowering self-responsibility Sound Bites "Seasons change, and so do we." "Love enough to have tough conversations." "Your story is a never-ending book." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and guest background 03:27 Failure as a moral obligation to share lessons 06:47 The OODA loop: Observe, Orient, Decide, Act 11:42 Training for a triathlon as a metaphor for failure 16:44 The importance of early intervention and tough conversations 25:08 Protecting your peace and setting boundaries 33:38 Seasons of life and personal growth 41:43 The power of community and support systems 49:54 Overcoming victim mentality and taking responsibility 58:33 The simplicity of reaching out and having honest conversations 1:06:43 The significance of presence and human connection 1:07:51 Lessons learned from travel and life experiences 1:16:55 Redefining resilience and moving forward with uncertainty 1:39:59 The ongoing journey of self-improvement and growth [ 1 , 2 ] Resources Connect with John www.lawenforcementlifecoach.com John on LinkedIn John Kelly | LinkedIn John's Podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/law-enforcement-life-coach-sometimes-heroes-need-help/id1618348574 Connect with Veronica https://www.veronicasterling.com
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