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Change Maker: How My Brother's Death Woke Up My Life
When She Discovered That She Could Communicate with Her Dead Brother, a World She Never Imagined Opened Up... BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST , Foreword Reviews : Body, Mind & Spirit Rebecca Austill-Clausen had no psychic or spiritual experience when she discovered her ability to communicate with her deceased brother. Doubting her sanity, and fearing she would lose the respect and support of her colleagues and her family, she struggled to mesh her spiritual awakening with the practical everyday world. But she knew she had to find a way... Change Maker was written Some of the many topics that Change Maker explores include grief and loss, after-death communication, shamanism, crystal energy, automatic writing, spirit guide communication, past lives, self-doubt―even adventures with the fairy realm. It offers tools to help readers successfully communicate with the spirit world in ways that are safe and effective. In this book you will Each chapter of Change Maker includes an original black-and-white illustration by Micki McAllister, and ends with an “Illumination”―guidance, suggestions, encouragement, and inspiration for readers who wish to pursue their own spiritual journey. Order your copy today and enjoy the best of memoir, self-help, new-age philosophy, and inspiration.
- GenresNonfiction
304 pages, Paperback
Published September 13, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 17, 2016
I truly loved this book. The author's ability to use poetic language was beautiful and allowed me to feel like I was very much a part of her experience. I found her story fascinating and thus I was caught between not wanting to put the book down and desiring to take time between chapters to give some extra thought and contemplation of each passage. Just reading her words opened up my heart to new experiences.
January 14, 2017
I loved this honest book and its heartfelt messages. Becky has shared her personal story in a remarkable way.
June 23, 2026
Change Maker: How My Brother's Death Woke Up My Life by Rebecca Austill-Clausen is a courageous, deeply personal memoir that explores grief, transformation, and the search for meaning following profound loss. Blending memoir, spiritual exploration, and personal growth, Rebecca Austill-Clausen invites readers into an intimate journey that encourages reflection, healing, and openness to life's greatest mysteries.
What makes this book particularly compelling is the author's honesty. Rather than presenting herself as someone who always possessed spiritual certainty, Austill-Clausen openly shares her confusion, skepticism, and fear as unexpected experiences challenged everything she previously believed. That vulnerability gives the narrative authenticity and allows readers to accompany her on a genuine journey of discovery.
At its heart, this is a story about grief and transformation. The loss of her brother becomes not only a deeply emotional event but also the catalyst for profound personal growth. Whether readers share the author's spiritual beliefs or simply appreciate thoughtful memoirs about healing, the emotional core of the book remains universally relatable: love continues to shape our lives long after loss, and healing often arrives through unexpected paths.
The book explores a wide range of spiritual topics—including after-death communication, intuition, automatic writing, spirit guides, and personal awakening—with curiosity rather than dogmatism. Austill-Clausen encourages readers to explore their own experiences thoughtfully while emphasizing discernment, personal reflection, and emotional growth.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its practical encouragement. The "Illumination" sections at the end of each chapter invite readers to pause and reflect on their own lives, making the book more than a memoir it becomes a gentle companion for anyone navigating grief, seeking meaning, or exploring their own spiritual journey.
The original illustrations by Micki McAllister add a quiet beauty to the reading experience, complementing the reflective tone and reinforcing the book's themes of hope, connection, and transformation.
Above all, Change Maker reminds readers that life's greatest losses can sometimes become the starting point for unexpected growth. Whether interpreted spiritually, emotionally, or symbolically, the message is one of resilience, courage, and the enduring power of love.
Thought-provoking, heartfelt, and deeply compassionate, this book will resonate with readers interested in memoir, grief, spirituality, and personal transformation. It offers comfort, inspiration, and an invitation to remain open to healing in all its many forms.
What makes this book particularly compelling is the author's honesty. Rather than presenting herself as someone who always possessed spiritual certainty, Austill-Clausen openly shares her confusion, skepticism, and fear as unexpected experiences challenged everything she previously believed. That vulnerability gives the narrative authenticity and allows readers to accompany her on a genuine journey of discovery.
At its heart, this is a story about grief and transformation. The loss of her brother becomes not only a deeply emotional event but also the catalyst for profound personal growth. Whether readers share the author's spiritual beliefs or simply appreciate thoughtful memoirs about healing, the emotional core of the book remains universally relatable: love continues to shape our lives long after loss, and healing often arrives through unexpected paths.
The book explores a wide range of spiritual topics—including after-death communication, intuition, automatic writing, spirit guides, and personal awakening—with curiosity rather than dogmatism. Austill-Clausen encourages readers to explore their own experiences thoughtfully while emphasizing discernment, personal reflection, and emotional growth.
One of the book's greatest strengths is its practical encouragement. The "Illumination" sections at the end of each chapter invite readers to pause and reflect on their own lives, making the book more than a memoir it becomes a gentle companion for anyone navigating grief, seeking meaning, or exploring their own spiritual journey.
The original illustrations by Micki McAllister add a quiet beauty to the reading experience, complementing the reflective tone and reinforcing the book's themes of hope, connection, and transformation.
Above all, Change Maker reminds readers that life's greatest losses can sometimes become the starting point for unexpected growth. Whether interpreted spiritually, emotionally, or symbolically, the message is one of resilience, courage, and the enduring power of love.
Thought-provoking, heartfelt, and deeply compassionate, this book will resonate with readers interested in memoir, grief, spirituality, and personal transformation. It offers comfort, inspiration, and an invitation to remain open to healing in all its many forms.
December 2, 2016
Just in Time to help you deal with the stress of the upcoming Holidays, BookSparks’ introduces a new line of She Writes Press books:
* A SURVIVOR’S GUIDE TO HOLIDAY MADNESS! *
If you’ve ever wondered about communicating with those who have passed, CHANGE MAKER (She Writes Press) by Rebecca Austill Clausen’s might be an interesting book for you to check out. It’s targeted for people who find themselves struggling in their daily lives, especially on their spiritual paths. It’s certainly something that may help anyone in these uncertain times.
I must say upfront, I’m open to reading just about anything. I’ve read a lot of books that would be called “new age,” and my approach is, there’s always something to be learned. I ask that you have an open mind. Reading this memoir might be the life changing experience you need.
Rebecca Austill Clausen discovered that she could communicate with her brother after he died. Following this realization, a world she never imagined opened up to her, even as she thought she was losing her mind and feared family and friends would never believe her and colleagues might lose total respect for her. She had to find a way to make her spiritual awakening and eventual spiritual transformation work within the reality of her everyday life. She was a science-based expert in the field of occupational therapy and she had a growing rehabilitation center to operate.
Rebecca Austill Clausen believes her brother’s death woke her up and made her examine her own life. With humor, honesty and insight, she asks us to ponder the meaning of life and challenges us to look inside ourselves for answers. Each chapter of CHANGE MAKER explores spiritual beliefs, understanding and ends with an “Illumination” ― guidance, suggestions, encouragement, and inspiration for readers who wish to pursue their own spiritual journey. The end result is a book that blends the best of memoir, self-help, new-age philosophy, and inspiration.
Rebecca Austill-Clausen grew up in New England and now lives in the rolling hills of Chester County, PA. She graduated summa cum laude with an advanced master’s degree in occupational therapy from Boston University, and holds a BS in Occupational Therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University. She has initiated hundreds of occupational therapy programs nationwide, serviced over 100,000 clients, and founded highly successful rehabilitation private practices in PA, DE, NJ, LA, and NM. Austill-Clausen has written for eleven professional publications. CHANGE MAKER is her first book.
Connect with Rebecca on Facebook or Twitter @RebeccaAustillC
* A SURVIVOR’S GUIDE TO HOLIDAY MADNESS! *
If you’ve ever wondered about communicating with those who have passed, CHANGE MAKER (She Writes Press) by Rebecca Austill Clausen’s might be an interesting book for you to check out. It’s targeted for people who find themselves struggling in their daily lives, especially on their spiritual paths. It’s certainly something that may help anyone in these uncertain times.
I must say upfront, I’m open to reading just about anything. I’ve read a lot of books that would be called “new age,” and my approach is, there’s always something to be learned. I ask that you have an open mind. Reading this memoir might be the life changing experience you need.
Rebecca Austill Clausen discovered that she could communicate with her brother after he died. Following this realization, a world she never imagined opened up to her, even as she thought she was losing her mind and feared family and friends would never believe her and colleagues might lose total respect for her. She had to find a way to make her spiritual awakening and eventual spiritual transformation work within the reality of her everyday life. She was a science-based expert in the field of occupational therapy and she had a growing rehabilitation center to operate.
Rebecca Austill Clausen believes her brother’s death woke her up and made her examine her own life. With humor, honesty and insight, she asks us to ponder the meaning of life and challenges us to look inside ourselves for answers. Each chapter of CHANGE MAKER explores spiritual beliefs, understanding and ends with an “Illumination” ― guidance, suggestions, encouragement, and inspiration for readers who wish to pursue their own spiritual journey. The end result is a book that blends the best of memoir, self-help, new-age philosophy, and inspiration.
Rebecca Austill-Clausen grew up in New England and now lives in the rolling hills of Chester County, PA. She graduated summa cum laude with an advanced master’s degree in occupational therapy from Boston University, and holds a BS in Occupational Therapy from Utica College of Syracuse University. She has initiated hundreds of occupational therapy programs nationwide, serviced over 100,000 clients, and founded highly successful rehabilitation private practices in PA, DE, NJ, LA, and NM. Austill-Clausen has written for eleven professional publications. CHANGE MAKER is her first book.
Connect with Rebecca on Facebook or Twitter @RebeccaAustillC
August 31, 2026
Change Maker explores grief and personal transformation through a deeply unusual and thought-provoking journey. The author's experience of losing her brother becomes the starting point for questions about spirituality, communication, self doubt, and what it means to make sense of an experience that doesn't fit neatly into everyday life.
What I found especially interesting is the tension between skepticism and openness. The author doesn't begin with a background in psychic or spiritual experiences, which makes her struggle to understand what is happening feel central to the story.
The book also goes beyond the loss itself by exploring different spiritual practices and ideas, including automatic writing, spirit guides, shamanism, and after-death communication. The "Illumination" sections give the chapters an additional reflective quality and encourage readers to consider their own responses to the subjects being discussed.
The combination of memoir and spiritual exploration gives Change Maker a distinctive identity. It isn't simply a story about grief; it's about how an unexpected experience can challenge someone's assumptions and ultimately change the way they see life.
A compelling choice for readers interested in grief, spirituality, personal transformation, and unconventional journeys of self discovery.
What I found especially interesting is the tension between skepticism and openness. The author doesn't begin with a background in psychic or spiritual experiences, which makes her struggle to understand what is happening feel central to the story.
The book also goes beyond the loss itself by exploring different spiritual practices and ideas, including automatic writing, spirit guides, shamanism, and after-death communication. The "Illumination" sections give the chapters an additional reflective quality and encourage readers to consider their own responses to the subjects being discussed.
The combination of memoir and spiritual exploration gives Change Maker a distinctive identity. It isn't simply a story about grief; it's about how an unexpected experience can challenge someone's assumptions and ultimately change the way they see life.
A compelling choice for readers interested in grief, spirituality, personal transformation, and unconventional journeys of self discovery.
June 16, 2026
Change Maker is a heartfelt and deeply personal memoir that explores grief, healing, and spiritual awakening through Rebecca Austill Clausen’s experiences following the loss of her brother.
Written with honesty and vulnerability, the book invites readers into a journey that blends memoir, self-discovery, and spiritual exploration.
Whether or not readers share the author's beliefs, the themes of love, loss, resilience, and personal transformation make this an engaging and thought provoking read.
Written with honesty and vulnerability, the book invites readers into a journey that blends memoir, self-discovery, and spiritual exploration.
Whether or not readers share the author's beliefs, the themes of love, loss, resilience, and personal transformation make this an engaging and thought provoking read.
December 5, 2017
I received this book only a few days ago but I made sure to prioritize it because Rebecca was extremely nice after I won the goodreads giveaway, she went above and beyond to make sure I received this book and it was not a disappointment. I loved every bit of it! I definitely recommend this book to everyone not only because it is a a great read, but also to support an extremely nice Author❤ thank you for sharing your story with us!
April 17, 2018
This is the true story of the author's spiritual journey following her brother's death. She is actually able to communicate with her dead brother. It was interesting but I'm not sure I personally believe that all this can happen. The book certainly provides food for thought.
July 7, 2023
A good read, I enjoyed it. I've actually met Rebecca, not in person. I attended one of her workshops via an online zoom call on MeetUp earlier in the year. It's the best event I have ever attended. She's a very down to earth person. She said I was a really cool guy, bless her.
September 26, 2017
What an interesting book to read! Knowing Becky, I coulf hear her voice as I read the book. It is completely, honestly her.
July 23, 2018
Excellent read ,proof that we are eternal . Also some great suggestions and tools from the author on how to connect with our loved ones after they pass on.
February 12, 2017
Many thanks to the Author, Rebecca Austill-Clausen, for making sure I finally received this book that I won from Goodreads! As I have been into Metaphysics, reincarnation, native American culture, and meditation (etc) for many, many years, much of this autobiography resonates with me...and I found much synchronicity to ponder while reading the book. I believe that whatever is real to a person is reality for that person...so, even though fairies have not been an aspect of my reality (and therefore I really don't believe they exist), I do believe that they are part of Becky's reality! Also, while I have not had direct communication with the many people close to me who have passed on in the last several years...I have had signs...such as a waft of the scent my boyfriend used to use, or "finding" things that I know came from such people, at exactly the right time. And, most of all...being told by someone I once worked with that "books find us when the time is right"! So true!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews