Episode 5

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Published on:

10th Apr 2025

Finding Freedom: Kelita Haverland on Healing Through Music and Vulnerability

 In this heartfelt episode of "Wine, Whiskey, and Life," we are joined by the award-winning singer-songwriter Kelita Haverland. Kalita shares her powerful journey from trauma to healing, as detailed in her memoir "Reason to Sing." This episode delves into Kalita's experiences with unimaginable challenges and her use of music as a healing tool. From performing in men's prisons to collaborating with legends like Shania Twain and k.d. lang, Kalita's story is one of resilience and the transformative power of vulnerability. Together, we explore the importance of acknowledging our past, embracing our true selves, and finding emotional freedom through storytelling. Kalita’s narrative is an inspiring invitation to embark on a healing journey and discover the strength found in truth and vulnerability.

Key Takeaways & Lessons:
  • Embrace vulnerability as a path to healing and connection.
  • Sharing personal stories can empower both the storyteller and the audience.
  • Acknowledging past trauma is essential for growth but does not define one's entire narrative.
  • The journey toward self-love involves accepting and loving all aspects of oneself, including past mistakes.

Timestamps & Chapters:
  • [00:00] Healing Through Sharing Life's Trials: Introduction to Kelita Haverland and her memoir "Reason to Sing."
  • [10:47] Navigating Healing Through Shared Stories: The liberating power of storytelling and understanding one's upbringing.
  • [20:38] Finding Healing Through Sharing and Love: How to start the journey toward emotional freedom and self-love.

Resources:
Checkout my ‘Are you Capable’ Free Quiz HERE
Grab my book Hot Mess Magic HERE
Get No BS by Burke HERE use code: NOBS at checkout fo 20%off
Grab Reason to Sing  HERE
Connect with Kelita HERE


Follow:
Follow Me: @michelleaburke 
Follow Kelita:  @kelitahaverland

Subscribe to "Wine, Whiskey, and Life" on your favorite podcast platform to never miss an episode.  Don’t forget to leave a review and share this episode with friends who might find inspiration in Kalita's story. 
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About the Podcast

Wine, Whiskey & Life
Because sometimes you're raising a glass to cheers and other times to drown your sorrows.
This podcast is for the ones who’ve lived too much to pretend, felt too deeply to fake it and are sick of faking it and still show up scarred, sacred, and sipping something strong.

Hosted by Michelle A. Burke an author, speaker, and the no-BS voice behind Hot Mess Magic, Wine, Whiskey & Life is where real talk flows like a good pour. No filters. No fluff. Just raw, rebellious conversations about the moments that break us, make us, and everything in between.

We go there: into the unraveling, the rebuilding, the identity crises, the quiet grief, the messy healing, and the unexpected joy that comes from not giving up on yourself.

Sometimes it’s deep. Sometimes it’s funny. Sometimes it’s a punch to the gut with a shot of truth on the side.

Grab your drink of choice. You’re not alone here and you’re sure as hell not meant to do life on mute.

Welcome to the show which feels like a night with old friends full of real talk, big laughs and zero judgment.

About your host

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Michelle Burke

Michelle Burke is an author, speaker, and no-BS truth-teller who’s lived through enough reinventions to know that life doesn’t come with a script. Known for her raw honesty, dark wit and unapologetic depth, she brings decades of experience, resilience, and realness to everything she touches. Whether on stage, on the page, or behind the mic, Michelle shows up scarred, sacred, and ready to burn the façade to the ground one conversation at a time.