Hudson author’s debut book supports weary caregivers

by Charles Cassady

For Hudson life coach and caregiver Shannon Speaks, a quote by meditation teacher Jack Kornfield – “If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete” – didn’t just resonate. It became a guiding philosophy for her practice.

That adage also shaped Speaks’ debut book Lil Grace, a manual of self-compassion – a term she intentionally chooses over the more commercialized “self-care.” The book’s intended readership casts a wide net, reeling in both professional caregivers and those caring for loved ones informally.

“Lil Grace shows up for caregivers-companions across the full spectrum,” said Speaks.

The self-published volume addresses caregiver stress and how to counter the dreaded burnout syndrome. It holds lessons and affirmations for everyone, from nursing professionals to private individuals tasked with watching over an elderly or ailing relative or friend.

“I would tell someone new to the field that self-compassion is not selfish,” said Speaks. “When we grow our self-compassion skills, we grow compassion for more than ourselves; we grow compassion for others as well. … We all need more of that these days.”

Speaks, a native Ohioan and Kent State graduate, moved to Hudson with her husband and two children in 2015, specifically drawn by the local public schools. Her professional journey in caregiving dates to 1995, when she first entered the field of elder care.

“I spent the first eight years of my professional life serving older adults in a family-owned nursing home in Cuyahoga Falls,” she said. “I learned so much in those formative years about how to be a caregiver to the residents and their families, as they all navigated this challenging life transition.”

Later, she completed a master’s in social work at Case Western Reserve University, transitioning to end-of-life hospice work. She counseled patients at Summa Health’s cancer center and also became a parent, which she counts as “the most challenging caregiving role of all.”

Throughout, she said, “I saw firsthand how critical each caregiver is to the well-being of the people we served. The housekeepers, laundry staff, kitchen crew, recreation staff, nurses, STNAs and therapists all contributed equally to the whole-person care of the residents.

“Seeing so many caregivers extend themselves at the cost of their own health, including myself, is what created the spark for Lil Grace.”

Speaks spent two years collaborating with Ohio artist and author Terri Stefanko, noting that Stefanko’s artwork was essential in bringing the words of Lil Grace to life.

“Lil Grace was born through a group-coaching experience I hosted in 2024,” Speaks explained. “All of the women in the group were caregivers in various forms. The theme of having more grace and compassion would show up time and time again. We invited grace into our sessions, and she started to take form.”

The manuscript also took direction from the published prose of Dr. Kristen Neff (Fierce Compassion: How to Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Your Power and Thrive) and Dr. Christopher Germer (Mindfulness and Psychotherapy).

“Through meditation training and practice,” Speaks noted, “I gained the skill of how to be with the inner-critic and learned more about that voice in the head. … Over time, I eventually cultivated another voice of compassion to share the space and calm my overly activated nervous system.”

Speaks envisions Lil Grace as the first in a series. She is already penning a follow-up focused on grief that will draw heavily from her time as a bereavement counselor.

Lil Grace is available through Amazon. The book is also available locally at The Learned Owl. Readers can find more details at projectlilgrace.com. Shannon Speaks’ own website of holistic life coaching, including YouTube links, is nourishcc.com.

Photo caption: Shannon Speaks’ debut book Lil Grace aims to provide a safety net of self-compassion for individuals facing caregiver burnout. Photos: