Welcome! I’m Jason

I’m fascinated by small moments of transformation. These moments show up all the time in movies. Like when Frodo steps up and says, “I will take the ring to Mordor - though I do not know the way.” When Red carves his name in the wall and says, “Get busy living or get busy dying” in The Shawshank Redemption. Or after Harry has been tortured by his uncle and aunt for a decade before Hagrid shows up to the island in a raging storm with a letter and says, “Yer a wizard Harry!” You belong with us!

These moments of transformation often include private ritual. A carefully planned and inclusive wedding, funeral, graduation, or baptism can create a memorable moment. But away from public eyes, we all have powerful, private moments of personal transformation. Moments that include firsts and lasts, endings and beginnings, healing and grief, learning who we are and who we are to become, searching for truth and connection to transcendence. These are the moments I find enthralling.

So I decided to write a book about these moments. And I decided that the best way to do that would be to blog about my thoughts and get feedback. If you’re interested, you can join me. Eventually, this website will become an archive for various types of private rituals.

Hanging out with Mr. Fred Rogers.

My Background

I’m a former therapist and former psychology professor. I have a masters degree in counseling from Truman State University and a doctorate in counseling psychology from the University of Kansas. When I’m not writing about rituals, I make a living as a grief educator, social media manager, and speaker within the funeral industry. I also have an online grief support video program called GriefPlan.

I live in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains with my wife, 3 children, 2 dogs, and 3 guinea pigs.