In this episode of The Mettā Interview, host Anne V Mühlethaler welcomes Jessica Faith Graham, a counselor, holistic life coach, mindfulness mentor, and author of the children's book The Love Inside. With degrees in counselling, psychotherapy, fine arts, and education, Jessica's work builds self-compassion in children and families — a mission that emerged from her deeply personal journey of self re-discovery.

The conversation starts with Jessica sharing memories of making little books at age six, a creative spark that would lie dormant for decades before finding its way back to her. She speaks to Anne about a period when life had slipped into autopilot, the daily rhythms of caring for three children leaving little to no room for herself. As it happens, she recalls reaching a point of crisis which led her to ask these surprising questions: who am I anymore? What do I actually need?

She walks Anne to the answers that followed. Daily walks. Music. Returning to meditation after twelve years away. Small acts of self-care that, over time, created space for something unexpected: writing returned, and with it, the seed of her children's book, The Love Inside.

Anne and Jessica explore the central question: "Who am I and what do I need?" They discuss why we so readily anticipate others' needs (especially as caregivers) yet forget to ask the same of ourselves. They touch on the tension between security and authenticity, the courage required to keep showing up creatively, and a Buddhist teaching from their shared mindfulness training: "If we are suffering, we are believing something untrue."

This episode is for anyone who has lost themselves in the service of others. For caregivers, parents, and those who've found themselves on autopilot wondering where they went. It's a reminder that we can always come back to ourselves—and that sometimes the simplest questions open the most important doors.

Happy listening!

Selected links from episode

The Mettā Interview: