What do you do when life takes a turn you never asked for?
In this moving episode of YoggNation: The Spirit of Gratitude, retired law enforcement officer and Podcaster Michael Herst shares the raw truth behind the pain, trauma, and unexpected moments that shaped his life.
From losing both parents without a chance to say goodbye, to having his law enforcement career upended just as he was about to rise to the next rank, he opens up about grief, resentment, and the long road to forgiveness. A pivotal moment with his daughter — placing her hands on his shoulders and telling him, “I know you can do it” — sparked a fire within him to walk her down the aisle after intense rehab.
We also explore how unhealed generational trauma can silently impact families, and how community, family support, and inner strength can help pull us out of the darkest places. This episode is about more than pain — it’s about purpose, and finding gratitude even in what nearly broke you.
📘 What You’ll Learn

• Why support systems are crucial when facing trauma
• How generational pain carries into adulthood — and how to break the cycle
• The surprising link between gratitude and grief
• What it takes to forgive without forgetting
• How to reclaim your purpose when life changes course

💡 Key Takeaways

• You don’t have to say goodbye to heal
• Forgiveness isn’t forgetting — it’s choosing freedom
• You can rewrite your story, no matter where you are

🎧 Tap play to discover how Gratitude helps with Grief.