What happens when life asks you to surrender everything you thought you could control?

In this deeply moving conversation, Terri Broussard sits down with healthcare communicator and patient advocate Erica Olenski to explore the extraordinary lessons born from caregiving, grief, healing, and purpose. After her infant son, August, was diagnosed with brain cancer, Erica’s world shifted from career ambitions and carefully crafted plans to a profound journey of presence, resilience, and spiritual awakening.

Rather than allowing tragedy to define her family, Erica discovered that August wasn’t simply someone to be healed, he was a teacher whose life transformed everyone fortunate enough to know him. Together, Terri and Erica reflect on trusting intuition, navigating life’s biggest transitions, recognizing signs from loved ones, and finding the courage to become who you were always meant to be.

This conversation is ultimately about remembering that healing is not something we arrive at. It is a way of living.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• Why caregiving became Erica’s greatest leadership education

• How one diagnosis transformed every aspect of her life

• The surprising connection between healthcare and spirituality

• What it means to become a steward instead of trying to control outcomes

• How to trust your inner knowing, even when it contradicts conventional wisdom

• The role intuition plays in healing

• Why grief can become one of our greatest teachers

• How loved ones continue communicating after death

• Why believing in yourself is often the most spiritual act you can take

• How life’s hardest seasons often reveal our deepest purpose

About Erica Olenski

Erica Olenski is a healthcare communications strategist, patient advocate, entrepreneur, and transformational storyteller whose life was forever changed when her infant son, August, was diagnosed with brain cancer. Through years of caregiving, advocacy, and profound personal loss, Erica has become a compassionate voice helping others navigate healing, resilience, and purpose with authenticity and grace.

About Roots+Rebirth™

Roots+Rebirth™ explores the moments that transform us. Through honest conversations with leaders, authors, healers, innovators, and changemakers, host Terri Broussard uncovers the experiences that shape who we become and the wisdom we gain when we embrace both our roots and our rebirth.