Restorative Grief with Mandy Capehart

"It's not complicated at all - it's actually quite simple."Few things in this life are black and white, but when they are, they are as perceived as complicated by those who refuse to understand or learn from others. Master Certified Grief and Transformation Coach Olivia Abousaid offers a grounded, trauma-informed perspective on collective grief, the impact of global injustice, and how witnessing or living through atrocity shapes the way we carry our sorrow. This conversation is a call to honor grief not as a weakness, but as a powerful force for change and solidarity.Links + Resources from this episode:Olivia's website - Pact CoachingBecome a Patron!Connect on Instagram with Mandy or Olivia

"The embodiment you can experience in these moments of disappointment requires safety, security, and ultimately results in a greater sense of belonging with yourself."In this episode, we unpack the complex emotions behind grieving someone who is still alive. When relationships break down or fade away, disappointment often takes center stage, leaving us questioning where things went wrong.This conversation explores the weight of unmet expectations, how attachment styles shape our grief, and what it takes to reconcile these emotions within ourselves. Learn how to move forward from relational grief while embracing embodiment and intentionality.Links + Resources from this episode:Read the transcript of episode 132: Okay, So They're DisappointedBecome a Patron!Learn more about coaching

"Self-awareness helps us know where we're heading by showing us our starting points on the map."It takes great courage and openness to notice what moments are aligning for you in life - even in grief. My guest today is Thomas Brown, a mental health advocate, author, and artist whose life has been shaped by a deep commitment to raising awareness around grief and suicide. A decade after losing his brother to suicide, Thomas partnered with the perfect friend and set out on a transformative cross-country bicycle trip. His story is an invitation to open your eyes, ears, and heart to catch what might be possible for you as you heal.Links + Resources from this episode: Thomas' book RisePhoenix.org Learn more about Restorative Grief Become a Patron!

"Grief is messy, but it is our avoidance of grieving that makes it messier - especially when we learn of necessary change."Harmful systems thrive in silence, fear, and unchecked power. This episode explores how abusive dynamics take root in communities—spiritual and otherwise—and how grief work is essential for both individuals and the collective to heal. By recognizing red flags, advocating for accountability, and refusing to bypass grief, we can begin dismantling the structures that allow harm to persist.Links + Resources from this episode: Communal support (spiritual)Communal support on trauma (non-spiritual)Communal support awareness (spiritual and non-spiritual)On Repentance and RepairBecome a Patron!Learn more about Restorative Grief

"Our questions drive our existence.”Until we become curious about what we're feeling, we can't really uncover what we want or who we are becoming. Ash Perrow is a heart-centered Personal Growth Coach sharing the story of how his near death experience radically altered the path of his life. His insight about living fully will make you listen twice and take notes.Links + Resources for this episode: Find Ash on TikTok Visit AshPerrow.com Connect with Mandy Learn more about Restorative Grief Become a Patron!

“Do not be satisfied with the stories that come before you. Unfold your own myth.” - RumiThis week, our conversation invites us to consider how the decisions we make—whether to isolate or connect—shape our healing and the health of our community. Here we wonder: Are we unknowingly creating the very struggles we seek to escape, or are we choosing a path toward deeper connection and collective well-being?Links + Resources from this episode:Join our Patreon communityFollow Mandy on InstagramJoin the Restorative Grief Project

“How often do we practice another way of being?”Have you ever considered what life could be like if you leaned into what you wanted to feel, do, think, or experience? Andrew Lang is an educator in the Pacific Northwest and author of the award-winning book Unmasking the Inner Critic: Lessons for Living an Unconstricted Life. Together we're unpacking what it means to embrace practice and play around a loss of identity and how attending our inner world leads to personal and collective transformation. Links + Resources from this episode: Wednesday 123 emails from Andrew How to Build a Tree by James A Pearson Wild Mercy by Mirabai Starr The Quaking of America by Resmaa Menakem Andrew or Mandy on Instagram Become a Patron/access the workbook

"Belonging to yourself in a world that demands conformity is an act of resistance — a way of saying, I am worthy as I am, and I don't need to fit in to belong."Have you spent so much time trying to fit in that you've lost sight of who you really are? In this episode, we unpack the difference between true belonging and exhausting performance, exploring how grief plays a key role in reclaiming your sense of self. If you're ready to stop shape-shifting for approval and start living in alignment with who you truly are, this conversation is for you.Links + Resources from this episode:Become a Patron!Learn more at MandyCapehart.comCheck in on Instagram!Get exclusive podcast episodes

"You are less alone than you think you are."Clarissa Moll lost her husband in an accident while camping with their family in 2019. Her first book, Beyond the Darkness, became a bestseller and now, she's released a second book on teenage grief cowritten with her daughter, Fiona. Hurt Help Hope: A Real Conversation about Teen Grief and Life after Loss" is a beautiful and faith-based companion for anyone with a grieving teen and no clear path on how to help them process.Links + Resources from this episode: Learn more at ClarissaMoll.com Buy her books online Become a Patron of the show

"Connection is the antidote to control." In this episode of Restorative Grief, we're exploring how the need to control everything in our lives, especially in times of grief, leaves us feeling disconnected and burned out. The key to healing isn't in fixing every problem, but in returning to our core values and reconnecting with ourselves and others. Links + Resources from this episode: Nedra Glover Tawwab's book on boundaries Become a Patron! Join The Restorative Grief Project Connect with Mandy

"Whatever deserves collapse has a container here."Ned Buskirk wants you to live fully alive by embracing the fact that you too, will die.Our grief stories deserve a space for expansion, expression, and the energy of an audience. Through his nonprofit You're Going 2 Die, Ned and his team are bringing diverse communities creatively into the conversation of grief, loss, and our shared mortality.Links + Resources from this episode: You're Going 2 Die YG2D on Instagram The YG2D Podcast Restorative Grief Patreon & bonuses Restorative Grief coaching Connect with Mandy on Instagram

"Estrangement draws a line between what we can accept and what we cannot. By holding compassion for ourselves and others, we create space for growth—even if it happens apart."This week's conversation about grieving through estrangement is a primer for either side of the loss. Whether you are the one setting the boundary or you are the one feeling the distance, this essay is an invitation toward yourself through one of the most painful and misunderstood experiences of loss.Links + Resources from this episode:​Join the Restorative Grief Patreon!​Learn more about 1:1 coaching opportunities​Buy Mandy's book on grieving​Subscribe to the Restorative Grief quarterly

"You'll never know unless you try." Jason Lange wants every man to get emotional. In his work as a men's embodiment coach, Jason teaches men how to invite their suppressed emotions to the surface and moving toward a more embodied way of living. This conversation goes beyond men, however. As human beings, we can learn to navigate spaces to create a greater sense of safety for ourselves and others. We simply have to give it a try. Links + Resources from this episode: JasonLange.me Embodiment.men/talk Learn more about Restorative Grief Become a Patron

"It is often that which is left unsaid that reveals the most." In this week's conversation, we're exploring the power of active listening as a grief supporter for others and particularly as a griever for ourselves! Links + Resources from this episode: Join the Restorative Grief Patreon! Learn more about 1:1 coaching opportunities Buy Mandy's book on grieving Subscribe to the Restorative Grief quarterly

"Honoring where you are matters until you are ready to move into something new; but until then, we don't push."Momoko Uno's experience quarantined in an Australian hotel for two weeks led her to lean into the writing career she'd always wanted. What started as a way to process the pain of waiting to see her terminally ill mother became the transformational expression that turned a quarantine journal into the raw and moving memoir "Fourteen Days: A memoir of love, loss, and quarantine hell."Links + Resources from this episode: Momoko's book Connect with Momoko Become a Patron Learn more about Restorative Grief coaching

"Unlearning begins with removing the ‘good/bad' binary and moving toward a spectrum of wellness." Grief is often seen through the limited lens of good vs. bad, creating barriers to fully understanding and engaging with our emotions. But what if there was no "bad" way to grieve? What if we could reframe our approach to grief by unlearning these binaries and embracing a spectrum of experiences instead? In this episode, we'll explore how unlearning societal expectations of grief allows us to move toward healing that is both authentic and expansive, especially in a world that still stigmatizes loss. Links + Resources from this episode: The Grieving Brain by Mary-Frances O'Connor Become a Patron! Learn more about The Restorative Grief Project

"Everything is connected." Dr. Rosemarie Rutecki wants you to eat the foods that make you happy - more specifically, the foods that make your GUT happy. Connecting the dots between our gut health and the wellness of our mind, emotions, and spirit are crucial and Dr. Rosemarie's work is a low-barrier entry point to learning how to support our holistic grief work with food as medicine. Links + Resources from this episode: Dr. Rosemarie's Instagram Become a Patron! Learn about coaching

"How do we move forward with advocacy in these spaces where anger, grief, and politics seem so overwhelming?" The emotional toll of politics cannot be glossed over, and in my own life, I needed a whole new word for it. Angriefolitical explores the emotional collision of grief, anger, and politics, offering insights on how to navigate these charged conversations with empathy, self-awareness, and a commitment to collective healing. Links + Resources from this episode: Resmaa Menakem's work, The Quaking of America Dr. Chanequa Walker-Barnes' work Rest is Resistance – the Nap Ministry Become a Patron Connect with Mandy on Instagram

"This grief is so hard because we cannot control it." We've all experienced something unique in our grief stories, but when it comes to sibling loss, there are some aspects even the experts don't understand. Sibling loss is a woefully underrepresented area of grief support, so when Annie Sklaver Orenstein lost her big brother, Ben, she realized her work as a qualitative researcher could be a great gift to the community of sibling loss survivors. Her book, "Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief" is a masterclass in self-awareness and cultivating the type of support you need through the loss of a sibling (and anyone else, of course). Links + Resources from this episode: Annie's book and website Connect with Annie on social media Learn more about Restorative Grief Become a Patron of the podcast

"Flourishing for me does not mean suffering for you." In this chat, we're unpacking how flourishing after loss is possible and SPOILER ALERT: It's not through the restriction and control of others around you. Links + Resources from this episode: Tyler VanderWeele's work on flourishing Dr. Carol Dweck's growth mindset book Become a Patron & get the episode workbook Join the Restorative Grief Project

"Validate, validate, validate." Lisa Sugarman wants you to know the struggles you experience are valid, but not permanent. The Boston-based author and crisis counselor with The Trevor Project is passionate about breaking stigmas around death by suicide and mental health. As a three-time suicide loss survivor, Lisa's message of validation, hope, and care is one you do not want to miss. Links + Resources for this episode: Lisa's Mental Health Resource List! Order Lisa's books Connect with Mandy Learn more about coaching opportunities Become a Patron of the show

“We do not teach the person to rely on our words and wisdom to heal, but to experience their own story and uncover the wisdom within it.” We are ending 2024 with a reminder on what it means to be with others in grief. SPOILER: It's not about reading all the right books before you show up. Links + Resources from this episode: Restorative Grief coaching Become a Patron Join the Restorative Grief Project for free Connect with Mandy

"The meaning is not found in the death; it is in us and in what we do after." Once we realize grief is not a linear process, what next steps can we take? David Kessler is well-known in the world of grief as a trustworthy voice on loss, and his latest workbook is an invitation into the very thing we need to heal. Finding Meaning: The Sixth Stage of Grief Workbook is a chance for you to co-write your own understanding of loss alongside David's decades of experience. Meaning making in grief work is often misunderstood or flat-out avoided. Today's conversation is a permission slip to move toward yourself in grief and find meaning for yourself. Links + Resources from this episode: Purchase a copy of the workbook David's website and resources at Grief.com Become a Patron and access my workbook for this episode Connect with Mandy on Instagram Learn more about Restorative Grief

"Putting your story on paper, regardless of the format, transfers that emotional weight onto the page, giving you some distance from your pain." Journaling is a habit EVERYONE can benefit from, but because we're averse to the deeper work, we tend to hide from it. This week's episode is an offering for those of us pretending we're not ready ready - because you all have a story worth telling. Links + Resources from this episode: Connect with Mandy on Instagram A full episode about future-self journaling A guided future-self journal Become a Patron of the show

"Say the things you need to say." When Theo Boyd first lost her mother to a horrific farm accident, she felt isolated. People heard her story, and immediately offered their own story to relate instead of sitting quietly at her side. In her book, My Grief is Not Like Yours, Theo recounts her unique grief journey by embracing the intensity and allowing herself to express the deeply personal and moving experience of loss, grief, and the lessons she's learned along the way. Links + Resources for this episode: Buy Theo's book Connect with Theo Become a Patron Learn more about Restorative Grief Coaching

"As people with a growth mindset, aimed toward healing, we don't discount the little steps." If you want to find healing, you have to learn how to lean into resistance. This conversation is an invite into just that! Links + Resources from this episode: Become a Patron/Access the workbook Connect with Mandy Learn more about trauma-informed coaching

"What does self-compassion look like for me in this moment?" Author Jenai Auman wants you to speak up. When years of spiritual abuse became clear, Jenai's decision to push back resulted in a loss of her job and spiritual community. Now, she's sharing her story and inviting you to experience belonging in your faith in a whole new way. Links + Resources from this episode: Buy a copy of Othered Learn more about Jenai's work Become a patron of Restorative Grief Learn more about Restorative Grief

"Grieving has taught me the profound lesson of recognizing how little I can control in life. In the midst of chaos, I realize that the key to maintaining a sense of connection lies in controlling my inner world." In this pre-holiday episode of Restorative Grief, we explore the importance of cultivating a strong inner connection amidst the chaos of the holiday season. Discover how grief can teach us to focus on our inner world, helping us align with our core values and cultivate peace during challenging times. Links + Resources for this episode: Restorative Grief Coaching Patreon for the show Connect on social media

“Your suppressed emotions are your suppressed potential.” 3x USA Memory Champion John Graham wants you to recognize the energy within you to heal. As a memory champion and cognitive athlete, John quickly realized how cognitive exercises were limited in their ability to alleviate ongoing anxiety and daily panic attacks. In today's conversation, we're deep diving into a more holistic approach to managing anxiety that you can start right now, right where you are. Links + Resources from this episode: John's free 12 minute webinar Learn more about Restorative Grief Connect on social media Become a Patron of the show Learn about guesting at MandyCapehart.com/PodMatch

"It's time for the gatekeepers of grief work to retire. We're doing things differently now." Gatekeeping in grief work is not a new concept, but we're going to start pushing back in a way that changes the future of grief support. Listen for ways to disarm harmful hierarchies in grief and how you can reshape your advocacy as a grief supporter. Links + Resources from this episode: Become a Patron of the show Get your copy of Restorative Grief: Embracing Our Losses Without Losing Ourselves Learn more about coaching at MandyCapehart.com Learn about guesting at MandyCapehart.com/Podmatch

"When you're ready, there is hope and support for you." While traveling abroad, Anne-Marie received an unexpected phone call informing her that her husband and best friend since age 19 had suddenly died of a brain aneurysm. When she realized her circle of support had no idea how to help her heal, she set out to redefine how to support widows through their grief. Anne-Marie Lockmyer is a professional grief specialist, certified in critical incident stress debriefing and trauma-integrative practices, and an 8-time award-winning author on grief. She, along with her husband Ron Gray, offers comprehensive grief support through intensive programs, retreats, and specialized sessions for those experiencing loss. Links + Resources from this episode: Grief and Trauma Healing Network MyGriefCare.com Restorative Grief Coaching Become a Patron of the show!

"We are becoming people who look grief square in the face to say, 'We see you, and we are not afraid.'" Season four of the podcast is here and I have a LOT of exciting things to share with you about what to expect and what you'll gain with Restorative Grief this year. Links + Resources from this episode: Episode transcript & top episodes from the past years Patreon.com/MandyCapehart Learn more about coaching

"Get your sh*t together." Win Charles wants you to get your paperwork in place before it's too late. In our conversation, we explore the unique challenges faced by individuals with cerebral palsy when losing a loved one. Win Charles is an author, podcaster, and motivational speaker who experienced this firsthand after losing her mother in 2010 and her father in 2014. Win shares her journey of recognizing the risk to her independence and emphasizes the importance of being financially and legally prepared. Tune in to learn how to live your dream life, even with a disability, by taking proactive steps for the future. CW: This episode contains a detailed account of medical crisis and a brief reference to caregiver abuse. Please listen with discretion. Links + Resources from this episode: Listen to Win's podcast Learn more about Special Needs Financial Planning Learn more about Restorative Grief Coaching Become a Patron of the show

"We do not live or heal in isolation." Humans need support and interconnected resonance to heal, so if you're ready to get some of that (translated: healthy friendship), this episode offers an approachable communication strategy to rebuild your confidence in connection. Links + Resources from this episode: Patreon.com/MandyCapehart Restorative Grief Coaching Connect on social media

"We want growth that seeks liberation & healing for all." Felt grief around your beliefs in the last decade? You're not alone. Author, podcaster, and pastor Rohadi has developed an extensive body of work centered on decolonizing, liberating, and deconstructing western Christianity. Today, Rohadi is sharing about his journey from white evangelicalism to advocating for marginalized voices as a crucial aspect for our collective spiritual growth. Links + Resources for this episode: Rohadi's work The Faith in a Fresh Vibe podcast Connect with Mandy

"Attachment trauma is a trauma of belonging." When we belong, we feel limitless in our healing work. Here's what to do if your sense of belonging needs to be reclaimed and healed, too. Links + Resources for this episode: Dr. Scott Lyon's work Dr. Diane Poole Heller's book Dr. Abi Blakeslee's work Patreon.com/MandyCapehart Learn more about Restorative Grief coaching

I'm taking a break this week! Please enjoy this rich conversation with one of my favorites, Dr. Lucy Hone. ------- Resiliency and hope are often complicated topics with grievers, but through her work as a thought leader of resilience psychology, Dr. Lucy Hone uncovered just how accessible both can be in the face of loss. After losing her 12-year-old daughter in a horrific motor accident, Lucy applied her research as an adjunct senior fellow at the University of Canterbury to begin helping people (including herself) cope with disruption, change, uncertainty and loss. Her work is regularly featured in global media and today, we are honored to share her heart and story with you.  Links Connect on ⁠Facebook ⁠, ⁠LinkedIn⁠, & ⁠Instagram with Dr. Hone⁠ @DrLucyHone Learn more about ⁠CopingwithLoss.co⁠ TedTalk with ⁠Dr. Lucy Hone: 3 Secrets of Resilient People⁠ ⁠Resilient Grieving: How to Find Your Way Through a Devastating Loss⁠ Connect with Mandy on social media - ⁠@MandyCapehart⁠ Visit ⁠MandyCapehart.com⁠ for more info on patronage and coaching

"The way this book brought my 'YES, ME TOO!' declaration to the surface meant I needed to share it far and wide." In my work, y'all ask for book recommendations often. Here's why these four are my favorites. Links + Resources for this episode: The Wild Edge of Sorrow by Francis Weller Bearing the Unbearable by Dr. Joanne Cacciatore As Long As You Need by J.S. Park Restorative Grief by Mandy Capehart Patreon details and benefits!

"What feels like a limit before you is only a door." Yasmine Cheyenne is a self-healing educator, mental wellness advocate, author, and motivational speaker who helps people cultivate daily practices to build healthy, joyful lives. Her latest book, "Wisdom of the Path: The Beautiful and Bumpy Ride to Healing and Trusting Our Inner Guide" is an engaging invitation into what is possible if we'll only start noticing what's before us. Links + Resources for this episode: Order Wisdom of the Path Connect on socials with Yasmine Join our Patreon!

"Even the short answer is not so simple." This sense of responsibility in the grief process of another person is genuine, real, and all too common. We've all asked it of ourselves. Let's see if this week's conversation can be a push toward healing for you, too. Links + Resources from this episode: MandyCapehart.com Join our Patreon for the workbook Restorative Grief: the book

"We can trust that no matter what we believe, there's so much hope that will carry us." How can you learn to move forward after you've lost someone so foundational in life? Author Chelsea Ohlemiller is here to share about her new book and unpack the happiness, hope, and harsh realities of losing a loved one. Links + Resources for this episode: Order Chelsea's book Hope & Harsh Realities blog Connect on social media Become a Patron of the show

"If there is one thing I understand about grief, it is that we are but blips on a radar." This week's essay is a quick share of my favorite advice from my biggest fan ever. Listen if you're ready to feel bold and to create meaning for your healing work. Links + Resources from this episode: My favorite art supply company Resources for grief support The Restorative Grief Project Join our Patreon

"A restorative wholeness is yours to claim and embrace." Hospice chaplain Roger Butts wants you to show up for yourself with intention, openness, and mindfulness. When we notice ourselves motivated by fear, avoidance, or even control, our sense of humanity is overshadowed. Grief work requires our whole, authentic self at the table, and Roger's work is a reminder on how we can do just that. Links + Resources from this episode: Roger's book, Seeds of Devotion Learn more about Restorative Grief Coaching Become a Patron of the show

"Cultivating trust in ourselves and the future involves dealing with our current experiences and recognizing that we can change our perspectives." The opposite of uncertainty is not certainty; it's trust. Learning to trust ourselves is a HUGE undertaking so here's a little insight on how we can practice this incredible gift for healing. Links + Resources for this episode: Body: Additional grounding exercises Mind: Positive affirmation journaling Heart: Gratitude practice Spirit: Metta meditation Patreon.com/MandyCapehart for workbooks Connect on socials

"Heartbreak is a symptom of our childhood wounds, thoughts, and what we believe is true about ourselves." Resilience and heartbreak coach Sara Webb is here to teach us how to support our heavy hearts through relationship loss, especially when that loss is attached to your identity. Whether or not you identify as part of the queer community, Sara's insights on what we believe about ourselves and how to restore hope to our hurting parts is powerful and available for anyone to learn from. Links + resources from this episode: Connect with Sara on Instagram Visit SaraWebbSays.com Become a Patron of Restorative Grief Learn more about Restorative Grief Coaching

"When discomfort is allowed to remain for a time, even welcomed, it will dissipate in favor of room to grow and heal." Whether you are grieving alone or feel alone in your grief - you're in the right place to cultivate a healing experience. This week's episode is a conversation around how to do just that. Links + Resources from this episode: Join the Restorative Grief Project on Facebook Learn more about Restorative Grief Coaching Join our Patreon Connect on socials

"We all have this natural, innate impulse toward healing and growth within us, and when we lean toward the discomfort, an unfolding toward wholeness will happen." Sophia Pounendis is a somatic psychotherapist with insight and invitations for us to consider a more intentional path toward healing than running after cathartic experiences. While catharsis can feel good, it can leave grievers more dysregulated than ever when it ends. Links + Resources from this episode: Connect with Sophia on Instagram Join my grief community on Facebook Become a Patron of the show! Learn more about Restorative Grief Coaching

"The bridge between worry and planning is paved with stones of present-mindedness." Navigating the fine line between worry and planning is a challenge many of us face, particularly during times of grief and uncertainty. This week, we're exploring how a specific mindfulness practice decreases worry and improves self-efficacy and resilience. Links + Resources from this episode: Become a Patron! Learn more about Restorative Grief Coaching Connect with Mandy on Instagram

"Whatever it takes, I'm going to keep moving forward." Retired United States Army Captain Rich Ingram is a keynote speaker and endurance athlete. Despite losing his arm in combat, he intentionally pursued discomfort throughout the healing process to learn what it means to uncover your new sense of self, fully show up for yourself in loss, and invite others to come along for the journey. Links + Resources for the show: Rich's work at RichIngram.com Workbook for the episode Learn more about Restorative Grief

Serotonin and dopamine: For most of us, these are familiar words with unfamiliar functions. You can read all the pop psychology articles you want about these two, but we're going in a different direction to uncover how we can "hack" the "Happy Hormones" for lasting healing in our grief work. Links + Resources for this episode: Patreon.com/MandyCapehart Learn more about coaching More tips and ideas for your healing work

"I am willing to wait for the surprises that grief brings." Erin Whelan wants to help you uncover a better way of talking about loss. Through her company, Compassionate Care, Erin equips caregivers and end-of-life providers with Playback Theater experiences. By witnessing their own grief stories reflected back to them, caregivers create a stronger sense of what is needed in grief work and develop more compassionate and effective communication with their clients, too. We also talked about what it is like to reach an age that a loved one never made it to - her experience might surprise you. Links + Resources from this episode: Compassionate Coaching with Erin Whelan Connect with Erin on LinkedIn Learn more about Restorative Grief Coaching Connect with Mandy