Ep. 87 Laura Jaye Cramer on Making Art Out of the Worst Days of Your Life

In this candid conversation, Laura Jaye Cramer shares: how she continues to process the grief and guilt around both her father and brother's tragic deaths by suicide; the before & after "self" revelation in the wake of loss; how your body can force you to rest; and how turning pain into Art led her to create an entire publishing company that supports others through life's many seasons.

Laura is the founder of Waiting Room Publishing, an independent media company putting smart, human-centered print magazines into healthcare, senior living, and end-of-life waiting rooms across the United States. Waiting Room Publishing publishes four titles — The Grand Life, Vital Years, Candlelight, and Gigi — each built for a specific audience and environment where people are unusually open and receptive. Before launching Waiting Room Publishing, Laura spent over a decade in journalism, brand strategy, and marketing. She brings a rare combination of editorial instinct, audience-first thinking, and distribution strategy to often overlooked demographics. Laura speaks on the intersection of media and the future of print — and is especially interested in how physical media creates connection in clinical and end-of-life settings. She lives in Seattle, WA with her Great Dane, Cowboy.

You can connect with Laura at www.laurajayecramer.com and can find Candlelight Magazine on Instagram and at www.waitingroompublishing.com

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If you or someone you know needs mental health support, the following resources are available to provide help:

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year; For any mental health crisis or emotional distress, including thoughts of suicide; Call or text 988

National Helpline: Provides confidential treatment referrals and information for individuals and families facing mental health and substance use challenges for free, 24/7; Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)

Trevor Project Lifeline: Dedicated to supporting LGBTQIA2S+ youth in crisis; Call 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678

Boys Town National Hotline: Provides 24/7 support, including Spanish-speaking counselors and translation services for over 140 languages; Call 800-448-3000; text "VOICE" TO 20121

Crisis Text Line: Offers 24/7/365 Emotional support and resources for any type of crisis; text "HEAL" TO 741-741

Teen Line: Provides peer support by teens for teens via hotline, text line, message board, and email; Call 800-852-8336 (6-10pm) or text "TEEN" to 839-863 (5:30-9:30pm)

Your Life Your Voice: Offers multiple ways for youth to connect with counselors 24/7 for tips on coping skills, grief, and more; Call 800-448-3000

You Are Not Alone Network: Provides a Native Youth Crisis Hotline and additional resources, including state and national resource guides and wisdom from Elders; Call 1-877-209-1266

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