From Unimaginable Loss to Radiant Living with Vickie Menendez
When life shatters, can love still lead? In this tender, truth-telling conversation, my guest Vickie Menendez — a mother who’s lost four children — shows us how grief can become a doorway to radiant, embodied living.
In this episode of Fire and Soul, I welcome inspirational speaker, Soul Midwife, and author Vickie Menendez to explore what it really means to live again after unimaginable loss. Vickie shares the sacred threads of her story — from the passing of her children and father to the soul contracts, somatic healing, and spiritual devotion that carried her back to life. You’ll hear practical ways to be with grief in the body, create a “beautiful goodbye” visualization, and rebuild nervous-system capacity so presence and connection become possible again. This is a conversation for anyone standing in the in-between: tender, reverent, and full of quiet courage.
I also share a glimpse of Soul Work Synergy, my newest monthly live community where we explore one Gene Key at a time through somatic practice and spiritual devotion. It’s a living rhythm of insight, integration, and spiritual embodiment that I can’t wait to invite you into.
We cover:
Grief as initiation: moving from survival to soulful rebirth
Soul contracts and continuing bonds beyond the veil
Somatic tools that actually help (breathwork, vagal toning, MAP, Yin)
How stored emotion becomes pain — and how to unwind it
The “Beautiful Goodbye” practice to reframe final memories
Parenting, partnership, and community in seasons of loss
Finding the gold in a painful origin story (music, frequency, and safety)
Resources & links:
Vickie Menendez — site & offerings: [vickiemenendez.com]
Book: Crystal’s Butterfly Effect (includes letters + mandalas)
Event — The Chrysalis Journey: A Virtual Gathering for Grief, Grace, and Learning to Live Again (Oct 4, 2025; virtual + Miami): Register here: https://vickiemenendez.com/
Soul Work Synergy — my brand new monthly live-guided journey (3 weeks on, 1 week off) weaving Gene Keys, somatic wisdom, and spiritual devotion beginning 9/15: https://www.michelle-sorro.com/synergy
Gentle note: This episode discusses child loss, addiction, and end-of-life experiences. Please care for your nervous system as you listen.
Timestamps (approx.):
00:00 Opening + why Synergy was born
05:30 Vickie’s story and the first loss
15:40 Addiction, shame, and the art that told the truth
24:50 Soul contracts and ongoing connection
33:10 Hospital as sacred space; the “Beautiful Goodbye”
47:20 Somatic healing that works (breath, vagal toning, MAP)
58:00 The Chrysalis Journey event invitation + closing blessings
