The AfterWords

Energy 101: Emotional Lab Rat Reporting For Duty

Hey there, cosmic travelers! Welcome back to The Afterwords, the podcast where we explore the intersection of grief and the cosmos, tackling topics like quantum entanglement and energy with a hint of humor and a lot of heart. Hosted by Maile Navarro, your enthusiastic guide through the messy and mystical, this episode is all about energy—what it is, how it affects us, and why understanding it can change your life.
This time, Maile is joined by her unofficial emotional support human, Royce Perkins, whose calming presence and smooth voice might just save us all from emotional spirals. Together, they venture into 'Energy 101,' exploring how energy moves mountains—and, more importantly, how it tangles up our nervous systems.
Dive into the mysteries of twin flames and the cathartic art of cord cutting, as Maile and Royce discuss the profound shifts that happen when you let go of connections that no longer serve you. They chat about how healing your own energy can have ripple effects, improving relationships and overall well-being. Royce shares his journey toward sobriety, showcasing how redefining his energy field has led to a healthier, more positive life.
As always, Maile brings humor to the existential, sharing personal stories about her experiences with energy healings that begin to shift your mind and heart. Whether you're a skeptic or a believer, this episode offers something for everyone—from soul-searching insights to practical steps on maintaining spiritual hygiene. Join us for a journey where we laugh, cry, and learn together about the invisible forces that bind us all.

Press Start to Evolve—Player 2 Has Entered the Afterlife

Press Start to Evolve — Player 2 Has Entered the Afterlife
Welcome back, fellow floaters. I’m Maile Navarro—professional overthinker, accidental psychic, and your grief-glitched tour guide through what I can only assume is a soul simulation coded by an overworked intern named Dick.
This week’s episode is personal, existential, slightly unhinged—and 100% solo. Royce is off doing things like earning a stable income and having a lunch break (must be nice), while I’m over here trying to figure out if Earth is:a) hell,b) a karmic escape room with no clues,or c) a cosmic bootcamp where you start as a floppy little Magicarp and have to spiritually evolve before the universe lets you go home.
And here’s the plot twist:Player 2 has already entered the afterlife.Yeah. That’s my son.
Kingston. My nine-year-old who passed away but apparently still has Wi-Fi in the afterlife, because he’s been sending me signs like a pro-level gamer who refuses to let me fail the tutorial.
So today we’re talking about what it actually means to live in this glitchy-ass version of The Sims while your child is operating from a higher dimension with cheat codes, bird poop, and Pokemon references. If you’ve ever looked up at the sky and screamed “WHAT IS THE POINT OF ALL THIS?,” congratulations—you’re in the right episode.
Topics include:
What reincarnation really feels like when you’re stuck on the same emotional boss level
Why my spiritual awakening started with grief, Wi-Fi issues, and one haunted YouTube autoplay
A breakdown of why Magicarp is the official mascot of unfinished souls
Flickering lights, repeating numbers, Chrome Hearts, and the sacred chaos of signs from the other side
Why your soulmate might be haunting your Spotify algorithm
The spiritual significance of Pokémon stickers, dog poop, and Uber drivers in clown cars
And of course, why Earth might actually be hell—just with better snacks and worse customer service
This episode isn’t for the faint of heart or the emotionally regulated. This one is for the people flailing through grief, doubting their intuition, screaming into the cosmic void, and still managing to light a candle or write something down just in case the universe is trying to respond.
Because here’s what I’ve learned:When you ignore the signs, the universe turns up the volume.When you still don’t listen?It sends your kid back in spirit form—Player 2 style—with better aim and louder signals.
And that’s not hypothetical. That’s real. That’s lived. That’s the aftermath of parenting through hospice, losing your child, and still hearing them through candle flickers and clairvoyant strangers.
So, no, I don’t think Earth is hell in the fire-and-brimstone sense. But I do think it might be the karmic summer school for souls who talked too much in Atlantis. And I’m not planning to come back here unless I get at least one superpower and better snacks next time.
This episode is your permission slip to believe in the signs. To write them down. To stop brushing off what you already know deep down:You’re not crazy. You’re just connected.
And if you need help decoding your own messages from the other side, I’ve got you.Download You’re Not Crazy, You’re Connected: A Spiritual Survival Guide for Grieving People at theafterwords.co—or get the printed version on Amazon. It’s weird, validating, and full of the proof I needed to not check myself into a psych ward. (Spoiler: The journal might save your sanity too.)
So, if you’re ready to stop Magicarp-ing your way through life and start playing the actual game…
Press start. Evolve.Player 2 is already waiting.And we are not coming back here again without extra credit.

If I Never Get to See the Northern Lights: A True Story (Bonus Content)

If I Never Get to See the Northern LightsA true story about the song that saved me, the swing that held me, and the love I never stopped waiting for.
In this bonus episode, I’m sharing something I’ve never said out loud—about the late-night ritual that kept me going during some of the loneliest years of my life. A porch swing. A pair of headphones. A country song on repeat. And a love that lived quietly in my bones while the rest of my life demanded everything else.
This isn’t a breakup story. It’s a soul story. It’s about hope, memory, grief, and the kind of love that finds a way to exist even if it hasn’t come back yet.
If you’ve ever loved someone in silence…If you’ve ever let a song carry you through a season…If you’ve ever pictured your future with someone who wasn’t ready yet—This one’s for you.
Full story also available on the blog at theafterwords.coDM your thoughts on Instagram @TheAfterWordsPodcastSubscribe for more episodes, meditations, and stories like this one
#Podcast #Grief #Love #TwinFlame #ThomasRhett #DieAHappyMan #UnspokenLove #AfterWordsPodcast #Memoir

Soul Contracts, Twin Flames and Everything Happens For A Reason (Except When It's Bullsh*t!)

Hey there, welcome to The Afterwords! I’m Maile Navarro, and I promise you, this isn’t your typical feel-good podcast about enlightenment. Nope, we're diving into life's messy chaos because sometimes, all you can do is laugh through the tears.
This episode is a raw and roller coaster-esque exploration into the concept of soul contracts—a spiritual agreement you supposedly signed before being born. Think of it as a cosmic prenup. I'll take you through my relationship with my incredible son Kingston, who, even in his absence, continues to teach me life-altering lessons.
Losing Kingston threw me into a soul test, an awakening, whatever you want to call it, which seemed like life's cruel joke but turned out to be the universe's way of sending me a passive-aggressive memo, essentially saying, "Time to wake up!" From bizarre spiritual signs to incredible cosmic connections, it's about making sense of the senseless and embracing the weird ways the universe communicates.
We'll chat soul contracts, spiritual journeys, and how losing Kingston led me to unforeseen awakenings. Plus, my not exactly conventional coping mechanisms, like talking to mediums and looking for signs everywhere. And yes, I make wildly inappropriate jokes because, let's face it, humor is a solid defense mechanism.
Rounding out this episode with me is Royce Perkins, my emotional support human, ensuring this chaotic train doesn't fully derail. Together, we'll explore profound connections, including the concept of twin flames—a term for those people who blow into your life and light everything on fire, seemingly leaving destruction in their wake but ultimately pushing you toward growth.
So grab your favorite drink, your emotional support water bottle, or that cheeky bottle of wine and let's get into why this universe is playing cosmic games with us! If you're in the midst of a soul-crushing test, or you're just curious about all this soul contract hullabaloo, buckle up! We're diving deep.

Unworthy No More: Breaking the Cycle of Self-Sabotage

🔊 Disclaimer:
I don’t remember recording this. Not a single word. It started with a plan, unraveled into chaos, and somehow looped back around like maybe the mess was the plan.
Call it dissociation. Call it channeling. Call it grief kicking down the door and handing the mic to something bigger than me.
I almost apologized for how unfiltered it is. But my gut—loud and clear—said: don’t touch it.
So I didn’t.
It’s messy. It’s raw. And it’s exactly how it needed to come out.
If you’re here, maybe you’re meant to hear it this way.
_________________________________________________
 
You know that moment when you realize you might be the one standing in your own way? Yeah. This is that episode.
In Unworthy No More, I take you with me through the messy, loud, and often hilariously uncomfortable journey of unlearning decades of self-sabotage and realizing that—plot twist—maybe I am worthy of good things. We dig into the little traumas, the casual cruelty, the comparisons, and the generational noise that planted the lies. Then we throw those lies in a metaphorical ball and yeet them out the damn window.
We talk about how unworthiness isn’t just a personal issue—it’s a collective one. Because when you believe in your worth, it doesn’t just change your life. It shifts everyone around you. And whether they like it or not? That ripple hits.
This episode is filled with raw honesty, spiritual sucker punches, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, me hearing my dead kid call for me from under the bed (yep), and the reminder that your intuition isn’t broken—you’ve just been too scared to listen.
This isn’t your typical self-help chat. No vision boards. No BS. Just truth, humor, and a nudge to do one thing this week that reminds you you’re not here to settle.
You are worthy. Of joy. Of love. Of abundance. Of the weird-ass signs from the universe and the ridiculous little wins in the closet with candy.
If nothing else, let this episode be the permission slip you didn’t know you needed.
🎧 Listen now and send it to someone who’s ready to throw their own garbage beliefs into the cosmic trash bin.

Empathy Fails: He's in a Better Place

Hey, my fellow floaters! Welcome back to The Afterwords, the podcast where we tackle the intricate dance of life, loss, and the wild things that happen in between. I'm Miley Navarro, your host and today, I’m joined by my super insightful nine-year-old daughter, Zuma. We’re here to remind you that messy, ungraceful growth is just part of finding your flow in this cosmic journey. Personal growth often looks like stumbling face-first into enlightenment.
Today’s episode is a special one as Zuma makes her podcast debut to help us explore the awkward intersection of grief and empathy. You know—the times when people try to say the right thing and ultimately fail miserably. We’ll share some cringeworthy "comforting" things said to us after losing Kingston, as well as the science behind why our brains turn into awkward mess-machines when faced with our own discomfort in the face of someone else's pain.
You’ll hear all about our misadventures and giggle through the absurdity of grief brain, and how it makes forgetting things not only common but laughably relatable. Plus, we’re breaking down some empathy basics and offering tips on what to say (and what not to say) to someone who’s grieving.
Stick around for the rollercoaster ride that is grief, and how we manage to find light, laughter, and the importance of connection during our toughest times. From the quirky significance of wombat poop to the infamous five stages of grief, we’re covering it all. Thank you for joining us on this heartfelt—and sometimes hilariously awkward—journey.

The AfterWords: What Happens Next is Everything

Welcome to The AfterWords, where grief collides with spiritual discovery, dark humor, and unfiltered truth. Hosted by Maile Navarro, this podcast peels back the layers of loss, exposing the chaos, the beauty, and the absurdity of life after profound heartbreak.
After losing her son Kingston to cancer, Maile challenges the tidy, sugarcoated version of grief that the world expects. Instead, she dives into the raw, uncomfortable, and strangely magical ways love endures beyond death—through signs, synchronicities, and moments of undeniable connection.
If you’re looking for a place where grief isn’t whispered about in hushed tones but spoken out loud—messy, real, and sometimes even funny—you’ve found it. The AfterWords is a rollercoaster of emotions, an exploration of what comes next when the world expects you to “move on,” and proof that even in the wreckage, there’s light, laughter, and something worth holding onto.

Six Months in the Ashes

In this deeply personal and unfiltered monologue, I reflect on life six months after losing Kingston. It’s not a story of hope—it’s an honest account of the relentless pain, fear, and paralysis that grief brings. I share Zuma’s tearful mornings, her nightmares of Kingston, and how those moments mirror my own struggle to function in a world that no longer feels safe.
 
From the looming threat of wildfires to the impossibility of moving forward, this is a raw exploration of what it means to live in the aftermath of unimaginable loss.
Trigger Warning: This monologue discusses the loss of a child and the profound effects of grief. Listener discretion is advised.
Take a moment to sit with me in this space, where grief speaks louder than hope.

Season 1 Trailer: The Heart of It All

What happens when life flips the script, leading you down a path of love, self discovery and resilience? This podcast shares a mother’s raw and unfiltered journey through unimaginable loss, fueled by hope and lessons from a wise young soul. With laughter, tears, and strength, we explore finding purpose, healing in chaos, and navigating life’s hardest challenges.