Grief Uncensored Podcast

Thank you for joining us! Follow us on Instagram @griefuncensoredpodcast & check out our YouTube for the video version of this podcast. We're so glad you are here. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

In this minisode, we can only offer validation and understanding for whatever you may be going through because we know damn well how it feels. Gratitude doesn't come naturally to us especially after our life has been ripped apart, so a whole holiday dedicated to that feels especially painful. We're right here alongside you today, and you're not alone. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

This week we met with Zane Landin, journalist and mental health advocate, to talk about his experience losing his mom suddenly in January 2021. Together we talk about doing “grief math”, and speculate on the afterlife and what “heaven” means for us grievers who have our favorite people on the other side. We discuss dreams, mediumship, and signs we get from our loved ones from the other side. Zane also opens up about different coping mechanisms he uses including using his imagination & daydreaming to conceptualize new memories with his mom. Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube. Want to be a guest? Want to join our Facebook group for other grieving young adults? Want to submit your person for our "Feature of The Week" Instagram series? CLICK THE LINK BIO!!  https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

With summer over and the days getting shorter, the worst time of the year for us grievers is approaching. Holiday season is just around the corner along with its endless parade of reminders of our dead loved ones. It's possible to feel joy, but it often feels bittersweet. This bittersweet feeling is experienced all the time with grief especially during holidays and big ceremonious events like weddings. On top of that, seasonal depression is real and we're definitely feeling it. This week we're talking about mentally preparing for this time and what we're expecting. This is one of our first minisodes. Stay tuned for more minisodes throughout the holiday season. As always, much love. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

In this episode, our guest Madison Brockmeyer lays it all out of the table. Grief changes a lot of compoents in your life including your friends, family, self, work, and dating… we're talking ALL of that today. We dive into some of the secondary losses she experienced including losing her friends and a relationship with her father as she once knew it. The rippling effects of grief also were felt in her work and dating life as well, as often people perceive grievers as “unstable” or “too much baggage.” Even the closest people to you don't get it sometimes, and you feel betrayed or even blame yourself.     Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube. Want to be a guest? Want to join our Facebook group for other grieving young adults? Want to submit your person for our "Feature of The Week" Instagram series? CLICK THE LINK BIO!!  https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

Compounded or cumulative grief is when a person experiences several losses in a short period of time. It when when the grief and loss in ones life seems to pile-on, causing bereavement overload. It could mean losing several loved ones, or losing a loved one, then a relationship, then a pet, etc. No matter where your losses are coming from, it is a grief overload that is hard to deal with.   Our guest this week, Hanna Normandeau, experienced the loss of her Dad, grandmother, and grandfather, all within an 8-month period. Hanna lays out her experience losing her dad tragically and traumatically to COVID-19, and shortly after losing her elderly grandparents more “naturally” but devastating nonetheless. We learn about how compounded grief feels overwhelming and creates longer periods of denial, how our grief looks differently depending on the relationship we had with the person while they were still on earth, and the intricacies of the effects of bereavement overload.     Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube. Want to be a guest? Want to join our Facebook group for other grieving young adults? Want to submit your person for our "Feature of The Week" Instagram series? CLICK THE LINK BIO!!  https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

This week, we're joined by Sophia Bylsma as she shares her story about losing her mom to a neurodegenerative illness similar to ALS. She had a very unique experience where her mom chose to partake in the medical aid in dying process (formally known as physician-assisted suicide), which is only legal in a handful of states here in the U.S. This option allows those diagnosed with a terminal illness to have a say in the way they die, allowing them to take back some control in an uncontrollable situation. Also discussed in this episode are death doulas and alternative options to traditional funerals including green burials. Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube. Want to be a guest? Want to join our Facebook group for other grieving young adults? Want to submit your person for our "Feature of The Week" Instagram series? CLICK THE LINK BIO!! https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

World Mental Health Day is October 10th according to the World Health Organization. In honor of that, we dedicated this week's episode to mental health struggles through the lens of grief. For those of us who experience mental health struggles, we know how it feels to live in an unequal world. There is often a stigma and shame when it comes to mental illnesses. This episode is our attempt to normalize talking about the hard stuff. In this episode, we cover how grief changed our journey with mental health, how COVID-19 impacted mental health, derealization & depersonalization, and struggling with anxiety & depression. Lastly, we talk about the difference between suicidal ideation and thoughts and speak from the heart about wanting to end the pain. Our goal is to normalize asking for help, going to therapy, having bad days (not everyday can be great), showing emotions, taking a break/not pushing your limits, not being ok (knowing it'll pass or come in waves), speaking up and telling people about your grief/depression/suicidal thoughts. Resources: If you or someone you know is struggling with suicidal thoughts please call the Suicide and Crisis line 988 OR 1-800-273-8255 is the phone number for the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. You can also text “TALK” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741, a trained crisis counselor will receive it and respond within minutes. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call 1-800-273-8255. The Crisis Text Line: Text “TALK” 741741 Nonprofits: LGBTQ resource The Trevor Project, National Alliance for Mental Health (NAMI), The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, International Association for Suicide Prevention - IASP Health Care providers can be found through your primary care physician, employee assistance or school (many universities offer free mental health care) Apps such as Better Help, Talkspace, Cerebral, etc. Podcasts Therapy Thoughts with Tiffany Roe Let's Talk About Mental Health with Jeremy Godwin Click the link below for more Grief Uncensored resources including our Facebook group for other young adults grieving a significant loss: https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

Being in a committed relationship while grieving isn't for the weak. There are countless struggles couples have to endure. It's possible that grief has affected your connection in a negative way, causing conflict. Or, it can bring a couple closer through trust. For the griever, feelings of guilt often rise from feeling depressed too often, trauma dumping, asking “too much” from their partner, etc. This week, we're here to break down these ideas with none other than the amazing Carson Drain (@carryonwithcarson on Instagram and TikTok). Alongside Carson, we share details about our experiences being in committed partnerships while our lives got torn apart. We change too much in grief, and our partner is a big part of the journey. How can we navigate loving and supporting our partner if our cup is so empty? Join us for all things love and loss this week. Carson Drain: https://linktr.ee/carsoncdrain Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube. Want to be a guest? Want to join our Facebook group for other grieving young adults? Want to submit your person for our "Feature of The Week" Instagram series? CLICK THE LINK BIO!! https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

How the f*** are we supposed to “go back to normal” after we have just experienced a life-changing loss? Our world stops yet, time keeps ticking away. The world keeps going on without us as we watch from the sidelines. Grievers are asked TOO often to put on a mask for the outside world and pretend everything is ok. Know that it's normal to feel like a zombie or to numb-out on auto-pilot. In this episode, we layout all the difficulties of having to go back to normal after the initial loss and provide 5 different tools to add to your “going back to normal” toolbox: 1. Be transparent with people who can be on your side. 2. Protect your peace by having a list of pre-written responses you can “copy and paste” when people ask you questions that are inconsiderate or ignorant. 3. Find how YOU like to self soothe: walks, yoga, etc. 4. Don't feel guilty for choosing you & speaking your truth. 5. KNOW YOUR WORTH & that you deserve grace & space to heal. Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube. Want to be a guest? Want to join our Facebook group for other grieving young adults? Want to submit your person for our "Feature of The Week" Instagram series? CLICK THE LINK BIO!! https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

This week, we had the pleasure of talking with soul-led RD and co-host of her own podcast (the Michelle and Lucy Show), Michelle Caravella. Having lost her dad to cancer, together we talked about anticipatory grief and the difficulties behind having to grieve someone while they're still alive. Anticipatory grief is grief that occurs before the death or loss, and it's just as complicated and confusing as you would think. It's often referred to as the "in-between place" as you face this reality of losing your loved one while trying to find the balance between holding on to hope and letting go. It commonly leaves one feeling completely helpless. Join us for another vulnerable conversation. Watch the video version of this podcast on YouTube. Want to be a guest? Want to join our Facebook group for other grieving young adults? Want to submit your person for our "Feature of The Week" Instagram series? CLICK THE LINK BIO!!! https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast Michelle Caravella Instagram: michelle_caravella --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/grief-uncensored-podcast/support

Another life talk with your hosts, Julia and Yako. In this episode, we're just catching up about all that's happened since Season 1. We talk about the ever-changing nature of being in your 20's while simultaneously dealing with the crushing weight of grief. Julia talks about moving to a new city and starting a new life, and Yako talks about visiting home and transitioning into adulthood. Also, we dive into how to deal with disappointment when people in your life fail to show up for you.   Watch the video version of this podcast on Youtube! Want to be a guest? Want to join our Facebook group for other grieving young adults? Want to participate in our "Feature Your Loved One" series on Instagram? CLICK THE LINK BELOW!!   https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

Welcome to Season 2 of Grief Uncensored! We're back with more tears, more laughs, and some amazing new guests! This week, we're with our friend, Tessa Thompson, who shares her story about losing her dad to cancer at the age of 12. Join us as we talk with her about grieving at such a young age and how grief changes over time. Stay tuned for more and the rest of Season 2! https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

Funerals are the worst. They're awkward, traumatic, and exhausting. Is there really any way to mentally prepare for one, especially one for your parent? *TRIGGER WARNING*: Today's episode dives deep into certain details about our funeral experiences. Please don't listen to this episode if this is a triggering topic for you. Additionally, as seen evidently in this episode and throughout our whole podcast, we use humor to cope with trauma so please do not think we are taking this topic lightly. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

This episode we're talking about feeling guilt after a loss. For us, this might've been the hardest episode to get through because this feeling has a huge impact on both of our lives. There's so many different reasons one might feel guilt, so it's hard to discuss them all because everyone's loss and lives are vastly unique. However, no matter how the death occurred, as grievers, somehow we end up turning it back on ourselves and find reasons to blame ourselves. REMEMBER, guilt is a normal part of the grieving process. No one is perfect, we all make our mistakes. You are not a terrible person for making them. Finally, just because you feel guilty doesn't mean you are. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

People often say that grief comes in waves. Sometimes the water is calm, and at other times, it is overwhelming. Some days you learn to float, and on other days, you are fighting not to drown. Today, we talk about how the waves of grief look in our own lives. Join us for another vulnerable conversation where we discuss this duality in grief, the highs and lows and everything in between. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

This week, we talk about how it feels on the “big” days without our person including holidays (e.g. Christmas, Thanksgiving, Mother's/Father's Day), birthdays, death anniversaries, and more. The first holiday season is always horrible, but that's not to say that their absence ever goes away. Other days like death anniversaries, birthdays, and New Years force us to acknowledge how much time has passed which is extremely painful too. Overall, people assume grief is the worst on these stand out days, however, grief lives in the everyday and sometimes the smaller, more normal days hurt the most. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

While we have discussed feelings of extreme sadness and isolation associated with grief in past episodes, accompanying anger and resentment are feelings that are more often overlooked. Today, we talk about how normal it is to feel anger after a loss: angry at the world for taking your person away, angry at the people around you for not understanding, and angry at yourself for not being able to do things you normally would before the loss. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

This episode, we're having a heart to heart directly with you: the ones who have been profoundly impacted by loss. These are the words we wish were said to us in the early days of our grief... words that we would've wanted to hear. When we say "early", please know that there is no specific time frame for how a loss feels to you. Whether that's years, months, or days is completely up to you. If you resonate with this title or description, please listen to this because this episode was meant for you. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

In this episode, we take a deep dive into life after death. We speculate how concepts created by religion and spirituality are seen through the lens of grief. It can bring up A LOT of complicated feelings. We want to believe our loved ones are still “alive” somewhere. They talk to us through our dreams and even send signs to earth for us. Ultimately, we don't have answers to life's big questions. No one does. When we talk about having existential crisis… this is what we mean. Topics discussed: What are the differences between spirituality and religion? How does spirituality and religion help us in grief, and/or how does it make us feel worse? Where do our loved ones go? Can they interact with us in our daily lives? Is that really them sending us signs? Mediumship? Reincarnation? https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

We wanted to do things a little differently this week and take this opportunity as a chance for you guys to get to know us a little better. In this episode, we answer some questions from viewers submitted through Instagram and our Google Form, and just sit and talk to you guys about our grief journey, our friendship, and our opinion on certain grief-related topics. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

Grief Brain is like severe brain fog, but it's caused by emotional trauma: you're confused, forgetful, having memory loss, can't access certain words or names, etc. In this episode, we explore WHY grief brain happens and how your brain reacts to the loss. Using facts and figures from authors and doctors Mary-Frances O'Connor and Lisa Shulmann, we explain that after a loss, the brain is fundamentally altered. Since the brain is interconnected, like a web, the rerouting or destruction of brain connections that occurs after a loss, makes it harder to access information or perform simple tasks. We learned that the brain doesn't differentiate between grief and emotional trauma. Having grief brain while trying to finish college was a struggle, and we cover everything from telling our professors, to group projects, and graduation. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

We're back after a much needed mental break. This week we're diving into one of the most difficult topics: Grief-induced anxiety and potential triggers. Prominent losses in our lives create big changes in a short amount of time, creating a surge in our feelings of chaos and fear. When big life changes come out of no where, we feel like we aren't safe or in control, bringing forth a fear of the unknown and uncontrollable. We often ask ourselves who we might lose next, will this be the last goodbye, or will I have to accept the same cancer diagnosis one day? There is no rationalizing with your anxious thoughts, and you can't just “talk yourself out of it.” We get it. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

Are you willing to have the uncomfortable, dark, and sometimes awkward conversation that comes with confronting grief? In this week's episode, we're here to discuss some of the ways you can help your grieving friend. This means going beyond the clichéd post-loss lines like “don't hesitate to reach out” or “I can only imagine what you're going through.” Not only do we debunk these common phrases and talk about what not to do, we follow up with important ways you can actually support your grieving friend after a loss. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

We're back this week to talk more in depth about some of the other secondary losses that are less physical. In Pt. 2, we focus on the loss of what once was and what will never be. Some examples of this include things like the loss of all future possibilities with our loved ones, grieving our past selves, the loss of our identity, loss of motivation, and loss of confidence. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

In this episode, we will be talking more about what happens after the initial loss: the domino effect of subsequent losses called secondary loss. These types of losses include loss of identity, support system, financial security, faith, self, confidence, and finally, the one we will be focusing on during the first part of this episode, the loss of friendships and relationships. In this two part series, we will touch on how death does not just create a single hole in someone's life. Instead, it impacts many areas of one's life creating multiple losses in a rippling effect. https://linktr.ee/griefuncensoredpodcast

Get to know your hosts, Julia Gallegos and Yako Shirasuna. In this episode, we share our stories and reveal everything that has lead us to this point. Julia reveals the intricacies of losing her mom suddenly in a car accident. Yako dives deep into the story of losing her dad to cancer. Deaths like these occur everyday, yet, we never hear about it. We talk about what the f*ck happened, and how we've carried on including all the things that came after and all the thoughts we battle. This episode is the basis of what's to come.

Thank you for joining us! Follow us on Instagram @griefuncensoredpodcast & check out YouTube for the video version of this podcast.