Too many high-achievers realize success only to be tested by and unprepared for life’s misfortunes. Grief and silence around loss can leave individuals fragile and legacies unfinished.

In this episode, hostess Angelina Carleton welcomes Laing Rikkers—Harvard graduate, author of Morning Leaves, and executive coach. Laing speaks to finding joy as well as beauty again after the unexpected loss of her younger sister. Learn how she has walked the daily path of turning creativity into resilience. Through her life experiences, Laing shares how to use storytelling for your legacy design, prioritize your mental health as a foundation for lasting inner strength and redefine success by incorporating in your healing journey. You don’t have to wait until it’s too late to face and process your emotions. Start today. Listen in and learn how Laing’s rite of passage can guide you to build a legacy rooted in your values, ability to heal, and service to others.

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Laing Rikkers is an Executive Coach with over 30 years of corporate leadership experience, specializing in helping high-performing individuals find purpose, clarity, and joy amid personal and professional challenges. She empowers executives to navigate pivotal moments with resilience and focus, integrating emotional intelligence with practical business strategies. Laing’s approach supports leaders in sustaining peak performance while emerging stronger and more purpose-driven.

As the author of "Morning Leaves: Cultivating a Life of Beauty, Meaning, and Joy," (Red Hen Press March 2026), Laing blends leadership acumen with a deep understanding of grief’s impact. Her work fosters a culture of resilience within organizations, enabling leaders to overcome obstacles while driving successful outcomes. Through a structured, confidential approach, she partners with clients to develop tailored solutions that align individual and organizational goals.

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At Legacy Planning©, we work with rising entrepreneurs, wealth creators, and family stewards who are ready to turn their success into lasting contribution. Our co-active coaching and advisory services help you clarify what truly matters—beyond balance sheets and the four corners of a document. We guide you in aligning your values, relationships, and influence into a living legacy you can lead with confidence today, and pass on with intention tomorrow.

Whether you're navigating a personal transition, succession planning, or seeking deeper meaning after financial success, we provide the structure and space to ask life's most important question: What will you leave in the hearts and hands of others? Because legacy isn’t what you leave behind—It’s how you show up now.

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Looking for a meaningful gift for the visionary in your life? Give the gift of clarity, purpose, and legacy with a personalized coaching session from Design Your Legacy©. Perfect for birthdays, milestones, or major life transitions—this gift card opens the door to deeper impact and intentional living. www.angelinacarleton.com/gift-card

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