Episode 169. The Energetics of Grief, How to Heal and Keep Going, with Jade Donegan

Ep 169. The Energetics of Grief, How to Heal and Keep Going, with Jade Donegan

This week, Ash sits down with principal consultant and founder of the Energy Collective Co, Jade Donegan, to explore what it really means to care for your inner world while navigating the demands of work, family, and grief. Jade shares how her spirituality helped her to navigate the profound rupture of losing her dad, a loss that reshaped how she sees life, love, and success.

She opens up about her journey through grief and forgiveness, the unexpected signs she still receives from her father, and the emotional toll of trying to keep going when your heart is somewhere else. Ash and Jade dive into the importance of emotional health at work, the need for accountability in professional spaces, and how understanding our own energy can change the way we lead, collaborate, and show up for the people around us.

Throughout their conversation, Jade reflects on the transformative power of practices like Reiki, and how they’ve helped her build self-awareness, soften self-judgment, and create workplaces where wellbeing is taken seriously. Together, they talk about moving through emotions rather than getting stuck in them, and the courage it takes to let yourself feel everything without shutting down. 

At its heart, this episode is an invitation to meet yourself with empathy whether you’re sitting in grief, in transition, or in growth. You’ll walk away with insights on how to build a life and career that honour both your humanity and your healing.


Episode Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Retreats and Personal Growth

01:51 Meet Jade Donegan: A Journey of Transformation

04:04 Daily Life and Finding Joy in Learning

08:10 The Move to New Zealand: A Family Adventure

11:32 Hiding Behind a Smile: The Impact of Grief

19:06 Navigating Grief: A Personal Story of Loss

23:44 Navigating Numbness and Helplessness

24:26 The Journey of Forgiveness

25:55 A Life-Changing Accident

28:20 Empathy and Forgiveness in Grief

29:36 Signs from Beyond

36:50 The Power of Reiki

43:03 Workplace Wellbeing and Accountability

You can connect with Jade using the links below:

http://www.energycollectiveco.com.au/

Follow and connect with Ash on: 

⁠Instagram⁠ @ashbutterss

TikTok @behindthesmilewithashb

Website⁠ www.ashbutterss.com

Join Ash on retreat in 2026!

The Embodied Woman Retreat | Gold Coast | May 2026 

Rest and Renew Holistic Retreat in Bali | August 2026

Watch Ash’s TEDx Talk here!

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Episode 168. Alcohol-Induced Vomiting, The Radical Therapy That Got Ian Fee Sober