Culture activist, worker, author ~ Stephen teaches internationally and is the creator and principal instructor of the Orphan Wisdom School, co-founded the school with his wife Nathalie Roy in 2010, convening semi-annually in Deacon, Ontario, and in northern Europe.

He has Master’s degrees from Harvard University (Theology) and the University of Toronto (Social Work).

Apprenticed to a master storyteller when a young man, he has worked extensively with dying people and their families, is former programme director in a major Canadian hospital, former assistant professor in a prominent Canadian medical school.

He is also a sculptor, traditional canoe builder whose house won a Governor General’s Award for architecture.

Since co-founding the Nights of Grief and Mystery project with singer/ songwriter Gregory Hoskins in 2015, he has toured this musical/ tent show revival/ storytelling/ ceremony of a show across North America, U.K. and Europe and Australia and New Zealand. They released their Nights of Grief & Mystery album in 2017 and at the end of 2020, they released two new records; Dark Roads and Rough Gods.

He is the author of Come of Age: The Case for Elderhood in a Time of Trouble (2018), the award-winning Die Wise: A Manifesto for Sanity and Soul (2015), Homecoming: The Haiku Sessions (a live teaching from 2013), How it All Could Be: A workbook for dying people and those who love them (2009), Angel and Executioner: Grief and the Love of Life – (a live teaching from 2009), and Money and The Soul’s Desires: A Meditation (2002). He was a contributing author to Palliative Care – Core Skills and Clinical Competencies (2007).

Stephen Jenkinson is also the subject of the feature length documentary film Griefwalker (National Film Board of Canada, 2008, dir. Tim Wilson), a portrait of his work with dying people, and Lost Nation Road, a shorter documentary on the crafting of the Nights of Grief and Mystery tours (2019, dir. Ian Mackenzie).

His books, recordings and DVDs are available for purchase at the Orphan Wisdom Shop.

How To Live Full & Die Wise (Stephen Jenkinson)

In this track, I talk about step one and lesson one from my new course on people pleasing. You can register for the course here,

https://sylvester-mcnutt-iii.mykajabi.com/offers/eokY498e/checkout

People Pleasing 101: How To Break The Cycle

How to Deal with Fear and Anxiety in Relationships (The Walking on Eggshells Feeling )

Navigating fear and anxiety in relationships—often described as the "walking on eggshells" feeling—can be emotionally exhausting. This sensation arises when you’re constantly on edge, trying to manage someone else’s reactions while suppressing your own feelings and needs. But the truth is, you have choices. You don’t have to stay trapped in this cycle.  

The first step is to understand where this fear and anxiety stem from. Are you afraid of conflict? Rejection? Or is it tied to a deeper sense of unworthiness or unresolved wounds from the past? Once you’ve identified the root cause, you can begin to decide how you want to move forward.  

Here are your choices:  

1. Accept them as they are. Sometimes, the person you're dealing with may not change, and it’s up to you to decide if you can find peace in accepting them for who they are without losing yourself in the process.  

2. Get out of the middle ground and lean into a hard conversation. This means addressing the tension directly and honestly, even if it feels uncomfortable. Speak your truth, set boundaries, and clarify your needs. Hard conversations are often the gateway to deeper connection or necessary clarity.  

3. Invite them to a new level of relationship. If the relationship has potential but is stuck in a dysfunctional pattern, you can propose a new way of engaging—a level of honesty, vulnerability, and mutual respect that elevates the connection. This requires both parties to be willing to grow.  

4. Continue people-pleasing.* This choice keeps the peace temporarily, but it often comes at the cost of your own emotional health. Over time, it can lead to resentment, burnout, and a deeper disconnect from yourself and the relationship.  

The key is to recognize that fear and anxiety are signals—not permanent states. They are asking you to take action, make a choice, and step into your power. Whether you choose acceptance, honest communication, or inviting change, remember that the ultimate goal is to honor yourself and create relationships where you feel safe, respected, and seen. Want to go deeper with me? Here are the two options.

One-on-One:
Hire me to be your coach one-on-one at sylvestermcnutt.net/coaching

Group
Join my community, sylvestermcnutt.net/mastery-circle

How To Deal With Fear and Anxiety In Relationships ( The Walking On Eggshells Feeling)

I wanted to create a space where I could chat with thought leaders, spiritual luminaries, authors, and health and wellness experts to discuss how we can free ourselves spiritually, mentally, emotionally, physically, financially, and beyond. I care about mindset, movement, and positive relationships and I created this podcast for people who also care about these topics. You’ll also hear passionate solo episodes where Sylvester goes deep into a zone of consciousness and talk about subjects that are calling me.

How To Deal With Fear and Anxiety In Relationships ( The Walking On Eggshells Feeling)

SylvesterMcNutt

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