Inner Spark

Inner Spark is a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of transformation and personal growth. Each episode looks into pivotal moments in the lives of my guests, where they experienced a significant shift or awakening that moved them towards new ways of living. From career changes to spiritual awakenings, from overcoming adversity to finding unexpected passions, my guests share the moments that sparked their journey towards a more fulfilling and authentic life. Through honest and inspiring conversations, listeners will gain insight into the power of self-discovery and the courage it takes to embrace change. Join me as I explore the transformative moments that have ignited the spark of change, and discover how these experiences can lead to shifts in perspective, purpose, and direction. If you're seeking inspiration to embark on your own journey of growth and transformation, this podcast is for you. Tune in and let the sparks fly!

Inner Spark is a education podcast hosted by Casey Taton, with 63 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Casey Taton hosts Inner Spark, a education show with 63 episodes published.

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  Episode #62

  What Aren't You Asking?

  Sep 26, 202611 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail There was black dust shooting out of my vents, and I knew exactly whose fault it was. Mine. I didn't ask. In this Shower Sprinkle, I'm sharing a messy (literally) day at home and an upcoming surgery I've been avoiding asking about, even though I used to work in the OR. Both taught me the same thing: sometimes we skip the questions because we're excited, relieved, or honestly scared of the answer. That avoidance costs us clarity, peace of mind, and sometimes a couple of hours of scrubbing walls. This week, I'm challenging you to look at where you're not asking, and whether you're asking in a way that actually gets you a clear answer. In this episode: Why we say yes before we get clear How avoiding questions can be a way of protecting ourselves from what we don't want to know The difference between asking and asking well Looking back on the Grief Series and what asking made possible Ask yourself this week: What question am I avoiding right now? Am I scared of the answer? Could I rephrase it so I get a clearer response? Come Gather with us Christine Marcario and I are hosting Gathered , an intimate retreat for women, November 5–7 in New Jersey. It's all about asking yourself the real questions, getting clear, and leaving with action steps and a sisterhood. Seating is limited to 8, and some seats are already gone. Ask us any questions and ask yourself if this feels aligned! You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/cataton/ https://www.facebook.com/casey.taton/ You can find what sparks me at: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AgeRtyojY/ https://www.instagram.com/lmbdcelebrations/ Music by: Jason and Ashley Scheufler Artwork by: https://www.instagram.com/graphx_ink/

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  Episode #61

  Just Stay in the Room: Grief Series Finale

  Sep 19, 202614 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail After ten conversations about loss, love, and everything grief actually looks like, I'm closing out the Grief Series with the one thing every guest agreed on: what actually helps someone who's grieving isn't the right words — it's staying in the room. In this finale, I revisit the most powerful moment from each episode of the Grief Series — from Pam Sandrock's beach ball metaphor to Justine King's "you never move on, you move forward" — and pull together a real, practical toolkit for how to comfort someone who's grieving . This episode covers what to actually say (and what not to say) when someone dies, how to support a grieving friend without overwhelming them, and why "let me know if you need anything" almost never works. In this episode: A one-line takeaway from all 10 Grief Series guests The exact phrases to stop saying to someone who's grieving — and what to say instead Why "I'm sorry for your loss" isn't as comforting as you think Practical, specific ways to show up for a grieving friend or family member (no meal train required) Why there's no timeline — and no hierarchy — to grief If you've ever wondered what to say to someone who's grieving, how to support a friend after a death, or how to talk to a child about loss, this episode is the recap and the toolkit in one. Catch up on the full Grief Series: Starting from Episode 51 You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/cataton/ https://www.facebook.com/casey.taton/ You can find what sparks me at: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AgeRtyojY/ https://www.instagram.com/lmbdcelebrations/ Music by: Jason and Ashley Scheufler Artwork by: https://www.instagram.com/graphx_ink/

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  Episode #60

  Normal Was Her Gift to Them with Anthony Marcario: Grief Series Ep.10

  Sep 12, 202649 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail Anthony Marcario was three years old when his mother was diagnosed with breast cancer — and she spent the next two decades making sure he never noticed. In this episode, Anthony (husband of my dear friend Christine, and a high school educator of over 12 years) shares what it was like growing up with a parent who was sick for nearly his entire childhood, and how she turned every Friday treatment, every hospital stay, and every hard day into something that just looked like ordinary life. Anthony walks through the five stages of grief as he actually lived them — the denial after she passed, the anger, the bargaining with God, and the sadness that still shows up around her birthday, Mother's Day, and the holidays. He talks about "coming out of the clam shell" to finally speak about his loss, the signs he still looks for that tell him she's near, and the moment he found the yellow string tied to a Christmas ornament — proof she was there the year they lost the hooks. He also opens up about how losing his mother young shaped the way he shows up for his own students, many of whom are grieving parents of their own, and why he now tries to live by one rule: go to bed with no regrets. In this episode: Growing up with a parent who has a chronic or terminal illness The five stages of grief, as experienced rather than as theory How families "normalize" hardship to protect each other Signs, symbols, and staying connected to someone after loss Supporting grieving students as an educator Finding joy and living without regret after losing a parent young You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/cataton/ https://www.facebook.com/casey.taton/ You can find what sparks me at: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AgeRtyojY/ https://www.instagram.com/lmbdcelebrations/ Music by: Jason and Ashley Scheufler Artwork by: https://www.instagram.com/graphx_ink/

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  Episode #59

  You Never Move On, You Move Forward with Justine King: Grief Series Ep.9

  Aug 29, 202645 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail I met Justine at a boxing gym, and it didn't take long to realize she's one of the most genuine, heart-of-gold people I've ever known. She's spent seven years opening her home to strangers walking through the unimaginable — the loss of a child. In this episode, Justine shares the story of her son Josh, who she and her husband Bob lost on Easter Sunday, 2017 — the day after what she calls one of her best birthdays ever. She talks about the moment everything changed, the years since, and the support group she and Bob ran out of their own living room for families who understood exactly what she was carrying. We talk about what it actually means to help someone who's grieving — why "call me if you need anything" doesn't work, why just showing up does, and why sitting in silence with someone can say more than any words you could find. Justine shares the phrase she's started using instead of "I'm sorry," what her tattoos mean to her, and why she believes you never move on from a loss like this — you move forward, carrying it with you. This one is heavy, and it's also full of hope. Justine's faith carried her through the worst thing she could imagine, and she's spent the years since turning that into a place for other people to land. In this episode: Justine's story of losing her son Josh, and the years that followed Why "call me if you need anything" isn't real support — and what is The support group Justine and her husband ran for seven years What her tattoos mean and why she got them Why grief isn't something you move on from — it's something you carry forward Where to find support if you or someone you love has lost a child Resources mentioned: While We're Waiting support group — Wichita, KS (Riverlawn Church, last Thursday of the month) While We're Waiting Facebook group (for bereaved parents) Listener challenge: If you know someone who's lost someone — whether it was last month or ten years ago — reach out today. Not "let me know if you need anything." Just reach out. Send the text. Bring the toilet paper. Sit with them in silence if that's all you have. You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/cataton/ https://www.facebook.com/casey.taton/ You can find what sparks me at: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AgeRtyojY/ https://www.instagram.com/lmbdcelebrations/ Music by: Jason and Ashley Scheufler Artwork by: https://www.instagram.com/graphx_ink/

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  Episode #58

  I Didn't Get to Feel It, I Was It: Grief Series Ep.8

  Aug 22, 20265 minS1

  Send us Fan Mail This week, I step away from the guest chair and get honest about my own grief — mid-eclipse season, mid-edit, mid-life. Fresh off the conversation with Dr. Craig Farney about the difference between feeling sad and being sad, I found myself living the answer in real time. A physical health scare pulled her straight back into an old fear, grief showed up uninvited at her desk, and she made the choice to let it move through her instead of pushing past it. In this Shower Sprinkle, I talk about: Why eclipse season seems to be surfacing heaviness for everyone lately The moment grief ambushed her while editing an upcoming guest episode A physical trigger that took her back to a hard season of her health history Why hosting a grief-focused show doesn't make her immune to grief The practice of letting a feeling have its five minutes, instead of solving or explaining it away A note on what's ahead: Next week's guest joins me to talk about the loss of a child, and how she's turned unimaginable pain into helping others survive theirs. Trigger warning noted in advance — I want you to know this one will be tender. You can find me at: https://www.instagram.com/cataton/ https://www.facebook.com/casey.taton/ You can find what sparks me at: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1AgeRtyojY/ https://www.instagram.com/lmbdcelebrations/ Music by: Jason and Ashley Scheufler Artwork by: https://www.instagram.com/graphx_ink/

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