The Empathy Edge Ashley Jones: How to Courageously Lead and Support Through Grief
Some conversations linger long after the recording stops; the conversations that deepen your humanity and reshape how you think about leadership. This episode is one of those conversations.
Ashley Jones knows grief in its most devastating form. When her daughter Skylar died from a terminal illness just before her second birthday, Ashley was thrust into a darkness no parent should ever face. But through that unimaginable loss, she discovered a calling: helping people heal in grief.
Today, Ashley shares her personal story and what her healing journey revealed about grace, resilience, and the power of community. We discuss the four survival reactions to trauma - fight, flight, freeze, and fawn - and how these can manifest. We also dive into the relationship between trauma and grief and how leaders can support those around them during these times.
Trigger warning: In this episode, we both talk about experiences with sexual assault.
Ashley shared incredibly valuable tips and resources to help you become a more trauma-informed leader and support your team to their fullest potential.
To access the episode transcript, go to www.TheEmpathyEdge.com, search by episode title.
Listen in for…
- Ashley’s personal story and what her healing journey revealed about grace, resilience, and the power of community.
- How leadership is evolving to become more deeply human—and the distance we still need to travel.
- Why grief is a universal leadership issue, and what it asks of us.
- The two fundamental needs people have after experiencing grief or trauma, and how to meet them.
- The four survival reactions to trauma that leaders need to understand.
- Why not all grief is traumatic, but all trauma includes grief, and what that means for how we support people.
"It's really about choosing love regardless of the situation, regardless of the people involved. To show up and say, ‘What is the best way I can love myself and others right now in this moment?’" — Ashley Jones
Episode References:
- How Can I Love You Better: howcaniloveyoubetter.com
The Empathy Edge:
- Stephanie Sarazin: What Is Ambiguous Grief and How To Show Up
- Ron Gura: How Technology Helps People Navigate Grief and Loss
- Katharine Manning: How Trauma Impacts Performance – and What Smart Leaders Can Do
About Ashley Jones, Founder, Momento Foundation:
Ashley was thrust into the depths of grief when her daughter, Skylar, died from a terminal illness just before her 2nd birthday. Her unique experience through darkness and healing led her to create the Momento Foundation (formerly Love Not Lost), a nonprofit on a mission to help people heal in grief. Known for creating innovative tools, new resources, and meaningful solutions for navigating grief, Ashley provides individuals and organizations with tangible help to better support themselves and each other through trauma and loss. She’s a sought-after TEDx & keynote speaker, author, and passionate plant mom.
Connect with Ashley:
Momento Foundation: momentofoundation.org
Author Site: www.ashleynicolejones.com
Book: When You Can't See the Light
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashleynicolejones
Facebook: facebook.com/momentofoundation
Instagram: instagram.com/momentofoundation
Momento Community: momento. impact.app
Connect with Maria:
Get Maria's books: Red-Slice.com/books
Hire Maria to speak: Red-Slice.com/Speaker-Maria-Ross
Take the LinkedIn Learning Courses! Leading with Empathy and Balancing Empathy, Accountability, and Results as a Leader
LinkedIn: Maria Ross
Instagram: @redslicemaria
Facebook: Red Slice
Get your copy of The Empathy Dilemma here- www.theempathydilemma.com