Podcasts about Grief

Brian From sits down with longtime Focus on the Family counselor Rob Jackson to talk about why the Christmas season can intensify grief, loneliness, and emotional struggle for so many. Jackson offers practical wisdom on healthy coping, supporting loved ones, and dismantling unhelpful Christian stigmas around sadness, counseling, and mental health. Their conversation provides compassionate guidance—and a reminder that no one has to walk through a painful holiday season alone.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this Write Big session of the #amwriting podcast, host Jennie Nash welcomes Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Jennifer Senior for a powerful conversation about finding, knowing, and claiming your voice.Jennifer shares how a medication once stripped away her ability to think in metaphor—the very heart of her writing—and what it was like to get that voice back. She and Jennie talk about how voice strengthens over time, why confidence and ruthless editing matter, and what it feels like when you're truly writing in flow.It's an inspiring reminder that your voice is your greatest strength—and worth honoring every time you sit down to write.TRANSCRIPT BELOW!THINGS MENTIONED IN THIS PODCAST:* Jennifer's Fresh Air interview with Terry Gross: Can't Sleep? You're Not Alone* Atlantic feature story: What Bobby McIlvaine Left Behind* Atlantic feature story: The Ones We Sent Away* Atlantic feature story: It's Your Friends Who Break Your Heart* The New York Times article: Happiness Won't Save You* Heavyweight the podcastSPONSORSHIP MESSAGEHey, it's Jennie Nash. And at Author Accelerator, we believe that the skills required to become a great book coach and build a successful book coaching business can be taught to people who come from all kinds of backgrounds and who bring all kinds of experiences to the work. But we also know that there are certain core characteristics that our most successful book coaches share. If you've been curious about becoming a book coach, and 2026 might be the year for you, come take our quiz to see how many of those core characteristics you have. You can find it at bookcoaches.com/characteristics-quiz.EPISODE TRANSCRIPTJennie NashHi, I'm Jennie Nash, and you're listening to the Hashtag AmWriting Podcast. This is a Write Big Session, where I'm bringing you short episodes about the mindset shifts that help you stop playing small and write like it matters. This one might not actually be that short, because today I'm talking to journalist Jennifer Senior about the idea of finding and knowing and claiming your voice—a rather big part of writing big. Jennifer Senior is a staff writer at The Atlantic. She won the Pulitzer Prize for feature writing in 2022 and was a finalist again in 2024. Before that, she spent five years at The New York Times as both a daily book critic and a columnist for the opinion page, and nearly two decades at New York Magazine. She's also the author of a bestselling parenting book, and frequently appears on NPR and other news shows. Welcome, Jennifer. Thanks for joining us.Jennifer SeniorThank you for having me. Hey, I got to clarify just one thing.Jennie NashOh, no.Jennifer SeniorAll Joy and No Fun is by no means a parenting book. I can't tell you the first thing about how to raise your kids. It is all about how kids change their parents. It's all like a sociological look at who we become and why we are—so our lives become so vexed. I like, I would do these book talks, and at the end, everybody would raise their hand and be like, “How do I get my kid into Harvard?” You know, like, the equivalent obviously—they wouldn't say it that way. I'd be like; I don't really have any idea, or how to get your kid to eat vegetables, or how to get your kid to, like, stop talking back. But anyway, I just have to clarify that, because every time...Jennie NashPlease, please—Jennifer SeniorSomeone says that, I'm like, “Noooo.” Anyway, it's a sociology book. Ah, it's an ethnography, you know. But anyway, it doesn't matter.Jennie NashAll right, like she said, you guys—not what I said.Jennifer SeniorI'm not correcting you. It came out 11 years ago. There were no iPads then, or social media. I mean, forget it. It's so dated anyway. But like, I just...Jennie NashThat's so funny. So the reason that we're speaking is that I heard you recently on Fresh Air with Terry Gross, where you were talking about an Atlantic feature story that you wrote called “Why Can't Americans Sleep?” And this was obviously a reported piece, but also a really personal piece and you're talking about your futile attempts to fall asleep and the latest research into insomnia and medication and therapy that you used to treat it, and we'll link to that article and interview in the show notes. But the reason that we're talking, and that in the middle of this conversation, which—which I'm listening to and I'm riveted by—you made this comment, and it was a little bit of a throwaway comment in the conversation, and, you know, then the conversation moved on. But you talked about how you were taking a particular antidepressant you'd been prescribed, and this was the quote you said: “It blew out all the circuitry that was responsible for generating metaphors, which is what I do as a writer. So it made my writing really flat.” And I was just like, hold up. What was that like? What happened? What—everything? So that's why we're talking. So… can we go back to the very beginning? If you can remember—Jess Lahey actually told me that when she was teaching fifth and sixth grade, that's around the time that kids begin to grasp this idea of figurative language and metaphor and such. Do you remember learning how to write like that, like write in metaphor and simile and all such things?Jennifer SeniorOh, that's funny. Do I remember it? I remember them starting to sort of come unbidden in my—like they would come unbidden in my head starting maybe in my—the minute I entered college, or maybe in my teens. Actually, I had that thing where some people have this—people who become writers have, like, a narrator's voice in their head where they're actually looking at things and describing them in the third person. They're writing them as they witness the world. That went away, that narrator's voice, which I also find sort of fascinating. But, like, I would say that it sort of emerged concurrently. I guess I was scribbling a little bit of, like, short story stuff, or I tried at least one when I was a senior in high school. So that was the first time maybe that, like, I started realizing that I had a flair for it. I also—once I noticed that, I know in college I would make, you know, when I started writing for the alternative weekly and I was reviewing things, particularly theater, I would make a conscientious effort to come up with good metaphors, and, like, 50% of them worked and 50% of them didn't, because if you ever labor over a metaphor, there's a much lower chance of it working. I mean, if you come—if you revisit it and go, oh, that's not—you know, that you can tell if it's too precious. But now if I labor over a metaphor, I don't bother. I stop. You know, it has to come instantaneously or...Jennie NashOr that reminds me of people who write with the thesaurus open, like that's going to be good, right? That's not going to work. So I want to stick with this, you know, so that they come into your head, you recognize that, and just this idea of knowing, back in the day, that you could write like that—you… this was a thing you had, like you used the word “flair,” like had a flair for this. Were there other signs or things that led you to the work, like knowing you were good, or knowing when something was on the page that it was right, like, what—what is that?Jennifer SeniorIt's that feeling of exhilaration, but it's also that feeling of total bewilderment, like you've been struck by something—something just blew through you and you had nothing to do with it. I mean, it's the cliché: here I am saying the metaphors are my superpower, which my editors were telling me, and I'm about to use a cliché, which is that you feel like you're a conduit for something and you have absolutely nothing to do with it. So I would have that sense that it had almost come without conscious thought. That was sort of when I knew it was working. It's also part of being in a flow state. It's when you're losing track of time and you're just in it. And the metaphors are—yeah, they're effortless. By the way, my brain is not entirely fogged in from long COVID, but I have noticed—and at first I didn't really notice any decrements in cognition—but recently, I have. So I'm wondering now if I'm having problems with spontaneous metaphor generation. It's a little bit disconcerting. And I do feel like all SSRIs—and I'm taking one now, just because, not just because long COVID is depressing, but because I have POTS, which is like a—it's Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome, and that's a very common sequela from long COVID, and it wipes out your plasma serotonin. So we have to take one anyway, we POTS patients. So I found that nicotine often helped with my long COVID, which is a thing—like a nicotine patch—and that made up for it. It almost felt like I was doping [laughing]. It made my writing so much better. But it's been...Jennie NashWait, wait, wait, this is so interesting.Jennifer SeniorI know…it's really weird. I would never have guessed that so much of my writing would be dampened by Big Pharma. I mean—but now with the nicotine patches, I was like, oh, now I get why writers are smoking until into the night, writing. Like, I mean, and I always wished that I did, just because it looked cool, you know? I could have just been one of those people with their Gitanes, or however you pronounce it, but, yeah.Jennie NashWow. So I want to come—I want to circle back to this in a minute, but let's get to the first time—well, it sounds like the first time that happened where you were prescribed an antidepressant and—and you recognized that you lost the ability to write in metaphor. Can you talk about—well, first of all, can you tell us what the medication was?Jennifer SeniorYeah, it was Paxil, which is actually notorious for that. And at the top—which I only subsequently discovered—those were in the days where there were no such things as Reddit threads or anything like that. It was 1999… I guess, no, eight, but so really early. That was the bespoke antidepressant at the time, thought to be more nuanced. I think it's now fallen out of favor, because it's also a b***h to wean off of. But it was kind of awful, just—I would think, and nothing would come. It was the strangest thing. For—there's all this static electricity usually when you write, right? And there's a lot of free associating that goes on that, again, feels a little involuntary. You know, you start thinking—it's like you've pulled back the spring in the pinball machine, and suddenly the thing is just bouncing around everywhere, and the ball wasn't bouncing around. Nothing was lighting up. It was like a dis… it just was strange, to be able to summon nothing.Jennie NashWow. So you—you just used this killer metaphor to describe that.Jennifer SeniorYeah, that was spontaneous.Jennie NashRight? So—so you said first, you said static, static energy, which—which is interesting.Jennifer SeniorYeah, it's... [buzzing sound]Jennie NashYeah. Yeah. Because it's noisy. You're talking about...Jennie SeniorOh, but it's not disruptive noise. Sorry, that might seem like it's like unwanted crackling, like on your television. I didn't really—yeah, maybe that's the wrong metaphor, actually, maybe the pinball is sort of better, that all you need is to, you know, psych yourself up, sit down, have your caffeine, and then bam, you know? But I didn't mean static in that way.Jennie NashI understood what you meant. There's like a buzzy energy.Jennifer SeniorYeah, right. It's fizz.Jennie NashFizz... that's so good. So you—you recognized that this was gone.Jennifer SeniorSo gone! Like the TV was off, you know?Jennie NashAnd did you...?Jennifer SeniorOr the machine, you know, was unplugged? I mean, it's—Jennie NashYeah, and did you? I'm just so curious about the part of your brain that was watching another part of your brain.Jennifer Senior[Laughing] You know what? I think... oh, that's really interesting. But are you watching, or are you just despairing because there's nothing—I mean, I'm trying to think if that's the right...Jennie NashBut there's a part of your brain that's like, this part of my brain isn't working.Jennifer SeniorRight. I'm just thinking how much metacognition is involved in— I mean, if you forget a word, are you really, like, staring at that very hard, or are you just like, s**t, what's the word? If you're staring at Jack Nicholson on TV, and you're like, why can't I remember that dude's name?Multiple speakers[Both laughing]Jennifer SeniorWhich happens to me far more regularly now, [unintelligible]… than it used to, you know? I mean, I don't know. There is a part of you that's completely alarmed, but, like, I guess you're right. There did come a point where I—you're right, where I suddenly realized, oh, there's just been a total breakdown here. It's never happening. Like, what is going on? Also, you know what would happen? Every sentence was a grind, like...Jennie NashOkay, so—okay, so...Jennifer Senior[Unintelligible]... Why is this so effortful? When you can't hold the previous sentence in your head, suddenly there's been this lapse in voice, right? Because, like, if every sentence is an effort and you're starting from nothing again, there's no continuity in how you sound. So, I mean, it was really dreadful. And by the way, if I can just say one thing, sorry now that—Jennie NashNo, I love it!Jennifer SeniorYeah. Sorry. I'm just—now you really got me going. I'm just like, yeah, I know. I'm sort of on a tear and a partial rant, which is Prozac—there came a point where, like, every single SSRI was too activating for me to sleep. But it was, of course, a problem, because being sleepless makes you depressed, so you need something to get at your depression. And SNRIs, like the Effexor's and the Cymbalta's, are out of the question, because those are known to be activating. So I kept vainly searching for SSRIs, and Prozac was the only one that didn't—that wound up not being terribly activating, besides Paxil, but it, too, was somewhat deadening, and I wrote my whole book on it.Jennie NashWow!Jennifer SeniorIt's not all metaphor.Multiple Speakers[both laughing]Jennifer SeniorIt's not all me and no—nothing memorable, you know? I mean, it's—it's kind of a problem. It was—I can't really bear to go back and look at it.Jennie NashWow.Jennie NashSo—so the feeling...Jennifer SeniorI'm really giving my book the hard sell, like it's really a B plus in terms of its pro…—I mean, you know, it wasn't.Jennie NashSo you—you—you recognize its happening, and what you recognize is a lack of fizzy, buzzy energy and a lack of flow. So I just have to ask now, presumably—well, there's long COVID now, but when you don't have—when you're writing in your full powers, do you—is it always in a state of flow? Like, if you're not in a state of flow, do you get up and go do something else? Like, what—how does that function in the life of a writer on a deadline?Jennifer SeniorOK. Well, am I always in a state of flow? No! I mean, flow is not—I don't know anyone who's good at something who just immediately can be in flow every time.Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorIt's still magic when it happens. You know, when I was in flow almost out of the gate every day—the McIlvaine stories—like, I knew when I hit send, this thing is damn good. I knew when I hit send on a piece that was not as well read, but is like my second or third favorite story. I wrote something for The New York Times called “Happiness Wont Save You,” about a pioneer in—he wrote one of the foundational studies in positive psychology about lottery winners and paraplegics, and how lottery winners are pretty much no happier than random controls found in a phone book, and paraplegics are much less unhappy than you might think, compared to controls. It was really poorly designed. It would never withstand the scrutiny of peer review today. But anyway, this guy was, like, a very innovative thinker. His name was Philip Brickman, and in 1982 at 38 years old, he climbed—he got—went—he found his way to the roof of the tallest building in Ann Arbor and jumped, and took his own life. And I was in flow pretty much throughout writing that one too.Jennie NashWow. So the piece you're referring to, that you referred to previous to that, is What Bobby McIlvaine Left Behind, which was a feature story in The Atlantic. It's the one you won the—Pul…Pulitzer for? It's now made into a book. It has, like...Jennifer SeniorAlthough all it is like, you know, the story between...Jennie NashCovers, right?Jennifer SeniorYeah. Yeah. Because—yeah, yeah.Jennie NashBut—Jennifer SeniorWhich is great, because then people can have it, rather than look at it online, which—and it goes on forever—so yeah.Jennie NashSo this is a piece—the subtitle is Grief, Conspiracy Theories, and One Family's Search for Meaning in the Two Decades Since 9/11—and I actually pulled a couple of metaphors from that piece, because I re-read it knowing I was going to speak to you… and I mean, it was just so beautifully written. It's—it's so beautifully structured, everything, everything. But here's a couple of examples for our listeners. You're describing Bobby, who was a 26-year-old who died in 9/11, who was your brother's college roommate.Jennifer SeniorAnd at that young adult—they—you can't afford New York. They were living together for eight years. It was four in college, and four—Jennie NashWow.Jennifer SeniorIn New York City. They had a two-bedroom... yeah, in a cheaper part... well, to the extent that there are cheaper parts in...Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorThe way over near York Avenue, east side, yeah.Jennie NashSo you write, “When he smiled, it looked for all the world like he'd swallowed the moon.” And you wrote, “But for all Bobby's hunger and swagger, what he mainly exuded, even during his college years, was warmth, decency, a corkscrew quirkiness.” So just that kind of language—a corkscrew quirkiness, like he'd swallowed the moon—that, it's that the piece is full of that. So that's interesting, that you felt in flow with this other piece you described and this one. So how would you describe—so you describe metaphors as things that just come—it just—it just happens. You're not forcing it—you can't force it. Do you think that's true of whatever this ineffable thing of voice—voices—as well?Jennifer SeniorOh, that's a good question. My voice got more distinct as I got older—it gets better. I think a lot of people's—writers'—powers wax. Philip Roth is a great example of that. Colette? I mean, there are people whose powers really get better and better, and I've gotten better with more experience. But do you start with the voice? I think you do. I don't know if you can teach someone a voice.Jennie NashSo when you say you've gotten better, what does that mean to you?Jennifer SeniorYeah. Um, I'm trying to think, like, do I write with more swing? Do I—just with more confidence because I'm older? Being a columnist…which is the least creative medium…Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorSeven hundred and fifty words to fit onto—I had a dedicated space in print. When David Leonhardt left, I took over the Monday spot, during COVID. So it's really, really—but what it forces you to do is to be very—your writing becomes lean, and it becomes—and structure is everything. So this does not relate to voice, but my—I was always pretty good at structure anyway. I think if you—I think movies and radio, podcasts, are, like, great for structure. Storytelling podcasts are the best thing to—I think I unconsciously emulate them. The McIlvaine story has a three-act structure. There's also—I think the podcast Heavyweight is sublime in that way.Jennie NashIs that Roxane Gay?Jennifer SeniorNo, no, no, no.Jennie NashOh, it's, um—Jennifer SeniorIt's Jonathan Goldstein.Jennie NashYes, got it. I'm going to write that down and link to that in our show notes.Jennifer SeniorIt's... I'm trying to think of—because, you know, his is, like, narratives, and it's—it's got a very unusual premise. But voice, voice, voice—well, I, you know, I worked on making my metaphors better in the beginning. I worked on noticing things, you know, and I worked on—I have the—I'm the least visual person alive. I mean, this is what's so interesting. Like, I failed to notice once that I had sat for an hour and a half with a woman who was missing an arm. I mean, I came back to the office and was talking—this is Barbara Epstein, who was a storied editor of The New York Review of Books, the story editor, along with Bob Silver. And I was talking to Mike Tomasky, who was our, like, city politic editor at the time. And I said to him, I just had this one—I knew she knew her. And he said, was it awkward? Was—you know, with her having one arm and everything? And I just stared at him and went one arm? I—I am really oblivious to stuff. And yet visual metaphors are no problem with me. Riddle me that, Batman. I don't know why that is. But I can, like, summon them in my head, and so I worked at it for a while, when my editors were responsive to it. Now they come more easily, so that seems to maybe just be a facility. I started noticing them in other people's writing. So Michael Ondaatje —in, I think it was In the Skin of a Lion, but maybe it was The English Patient. I've read, like, every book of his, like I've, you know— Running… was it Running in the Family? Running with the Family? I think it was Running in the—his memoir. And, I mean, doesn't—everything. Anil's Ghost—he— you know, that was it The Ballad of Billy the Kid? [The Collected Works of Billy the Kid] Anyway, I can go on and on. He had one metaphor talking about the evening being as serene as ink. And it was then that I realized that metaphors without effort often—and—or is that a simile? That's a simile.Jennie NashLike—or if it's “like” or “as,” it's a simile.Jennifer SeniorYeah. So I'm pretty good with similes, maybe more than metaphors. But... serene as ink. I realized that what made that work is that ink is one syllable. There is something about landing on a word with one syllable that sounds like you did not work particularly hard at it. You just look at it and keep going. And I know that I made a real effort to make my metaphors do that for a while, and I still do sometimes. Anything more than that can seem labored.Jennie NashOh, but that's so interesting. So you—you noticed in other people what worked and what you liked, and then tried to fold that into your own work.Jennifer SeniorYeah.Jennie NashSo does that mean you might noodle on—like, you have the structure of the metaphor or simile, but you might noodle on the word—Jennifer SeniorThe final word?Jennie NashThe final word.Jennifer SeniorYeah. Yeah, the actual simile, or whatever—yeah, I guess it's a simile—yeah, sometimes. Sometimes they—like I said, they come unbidden. I think I have enough experience now—which may make my voice better—to know what's crap. And I also, by the way, I'll tell you what makes your voice better: just being very willing to hit Select Alt, Delete. You know, there's more where that came from. I am a monster of self-editing. I just—I have no problem doing it. I like to do it. I like to be told when things are s**t. I think that improves your voice, because you can see it on the page.Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorAnd also, I think paying attention to other people's writing, you know, I did more and more of that, you know, reverse engineering stuff, looking at how they did stuff as I got older, so...Jennie NashSo I was going to ask a question, which now maybe you already answered, but the question was going to be… you said that you're—you feel like you're getting better as a writer as you got older. And you—you said that was due to experience. And I was going to ask, is it, or is it due to getting older? You know, is there something about literally living more years that makes you better, or, you know, like, is wisdom something that you just get, or is it something you work for? But I think what I'm hearing is you're saying you have worked to become the kind of writer who knows, you know, what you just said—you delete stuff, it comes again. But tell me if—you know, you welcome the kind of tough feedback, because you know that makes you better. You know, this sort of real effort to become better, it sounds like that's a practice you have. Is that—is that right?Jennifer SeniorOh yeah. I mean, well, let's do two things on that, please. I so easily lose my juju these days that, like, you've got to—if you can put a, you know, oh God, I'm going to use a cliché again—if you can put a pin in or bookmark that, the observation about, you know, harsh feedback. I want to come back to that. But yes, one of the things that I was going to keep—when I said that I have the confidence now, I also was going to say that I have the wisdom, but I had too many kind of competing—Jennie NashYeah. Yeah.Jennifer SeniorYou know, were running at once, and I, you know, many trains on many tracks—Jennie NashYeah, yeah.Jennifer Senior…about to leave, so…, Like, I had to sort of hop on one. But, like, the—the confidence and wisdom, yes, and also, like, I'll tell you something: in the McIlvaine piece, it may have been the first time I did, like, a narrative nonfiction. I told a story. There was a time when I would have hid behind research on that one.Jennie NashOoh, and did you tell a story. It was the—I remember reading that piece when it first came out, and there you're introducing, you know, this—the situation. And then there's a moment, and it comes very quickly at the top of the piece, where you explain your relationship to the protagonist of the story. And there's a—there's just a moment of like, oh, we're—we're really in something different here. There's really—is that feel of, this is not a reported story, this is a lived story, and that there's so many layers of power, I mean, to the story itself, but obviously the way that you—you present it, so I know exactly what you're talking about.Jennifer SeniorYeah, and by the way, I think writing in the first person, which I've been doing a lot of lately, is not something I would have done until now. Probably because I am older and I feel like I've earned it. I have more to say. I've been through more stuff. It's not, like, with the same kind of narcissism or adolescent—like, I want to get this out, you know. It's more searching, I think, and because I've seen more, and also because I've had these pent up stories that I've wanted to tell for a long time. And also I just don't think I would have had the balls, you know.Jennie NashRight.Jennifer SeniorSo some of it is—and I think that that's part of—you can write better in your own voice. If it's you writing about you, you're—there's no better authority, you know? So your voice comes out.Jennie NashRight.Jennifer SeniorBut I'm trying to think of also—I would have hid behind research and talked about theories of grief. And when I wrote, “It's the damnedest thing, the dead abandon you, and then you abandon the dead,” I had blurted that out loud when I was talking to, actually, not Bobby's brother, which is the context in which I wrote it, but to Bobby's—I said that, it's, like, right there on the tape—to his former almost fiancée. And I was thinking about that line, that I let it stand. I didn't actually then rush off and see if there was a body of literature that talked about the guilt that the living feel about letting go of their memories. But I would have done that at one point. I would have turned it into this... because I was too afraid to just let my own observations stand. But you get older and you're like, you know what? I'm smart enough to just let that be mine. Like, assume...Jennie NashRight.Jennifer SeniorIt's got to be right. But can we go back, also, before I forget?Jennie NashYeah, we're going to go back to harsh, but—but I would just want to use your cliché, put a pin in what you said, because you've said so many important things— that there's actual practice of getting better, and then there's also wisdom of—of just owning, growing into, embracing, which are two different things, both so important. So I just wanted to highlight that you've gone through those two things. So yes, let's go back to—I said harsh, and maybe I miss—can...misrepresenting what you meant.Jennifer SeniorYou may not have said that. I don't know what you said.Jennie NashNo, I did, I did.Jennifer SeniorYou did, okay, yeah, because I just know that it was processed as a harsh—oh no, totally. Like, I was going to say to you that—so there was a part of my book, my book, eventually, I just gave one chapter to each person in my life whom I thought could, like, assess it best, and one of them, so this friend—I did it on paper. He circled three paragraphs, and he wrote, and I quote, “Is this just a shitty way of saying...?” And then I was like, thank God someone caught it, if it was shitty. Oh my God. And then—and I was totally old enough to handle it, you know, I was like 44, whatever, 43. And then, who was it? Someone else—oh, I think I gave my husband the intro, and he wrote—he circled a paragraph and just wrote, “Ugh.” Okay, Select Alt, Delete, redo. You know, like, what are you going to do with that? That's so unambiguous. It's like, you know—and also, I mean, when you're younger, you argue. When you're older, you never quarrel with Ugh. Or Is this...Jennie NashRight, you're just like, okay, yep.Jennifer SeniorYeah. And again, you—you've done it enough that, you know, there's so much more where that came from.Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorWhy cling to anything that someone just, I don't know, had this totally allergic reaction to? Like, you know, if my husband broke out in a hive.Jennie NashYeah. So, circling back to the—the storyline of—you took this medication, you lost your ability to write in this way, you changed medications, presumably, you got it back. What did it feel like to get it back? Did you—do you remember that?Jennifer SeniorOh God, yes, it was glorious.Jennie NashReally?!Jennifer SeniorOh, you don't feel like yourself. I think that—I mean, I think there are many professions that are intertwined with identity. They may be the more professional—I'm sorry, the more creative professions. But not always, you know. And so if your writing voice is gone, and it's—I mean, so much of writing is an expression of your interior, if not life, then, I don't know some kind of thought process and something that you're working out. To have that drained out of you, for someone to just decant all the life out of your—or something to decant all the life out of your writing, it's—it's, I wouldn't say it's traumatic, that's totally overstating it, but it's—it's a huge bummer. It's, you know, it's depressing.Jennie NashWell, the word glorious, that's so cool. So to feel that you got back your—the you-ness of your voice was—was glorious. I mean, that's—that's amazing.Jennifer SeniorWhat—if I can just say, I wrote a feature, right, that then, like, I remember coming off of it, and then I wrote a feature that won the News Women's Club of New York story for best feature that year. Like, I didn't realize that those are kind of hard to win, and not like I won... I think I've won one since. But, like, that was in, like, 99 or something. I mean, like, you know, I don't write a whole lot of things that win stuff, until recently, you know. There was, like, a real kind of blackout period where, you know, I mean, but like—which I think, it probably didn't have to do with the quality of my writing. I mean, there was—but, I mean, you know, I wasn't writing any of the stuff that floated to the tippy top, and, like, I think that there was some kind of explosion thereof, like, all the, again, stuff that was just desperate to come out. I think there was just this volcanic outpouring.Jennie NashSo you're saying now you are winning things, which is indeed true. I mean, Pulitzer Prizes among them. Do you think that that has to do with this getting better? The wisdom, the practice, the glorious having of your abilities? Or, I guess what I'm asking is, like, is luck a part of—a part of all that? Is it just, it just happens? Or do you think there's some reason that it's happening? You feel that your writing is that powerful now?Jennifer SeniorWell, luck is definitely a part of it, because The Atlantic is the greatest place to showcase your feature writing. It gets so much attention, even though I think fewer people probably read that piece about Bobby McIlvaine than would have read any of my columns on any given day. The kind of attention was just so different. And it makes sense in a funny way, because it was 13,600 words or something. I mean, it was so long, and columns are 750 words. But, like, I think that I just lucked out in terms of the showcase. So that's definitely a part of it. And The Atlantic has the machinery to, you know, and all these dedicated, wonderful publicity people who will make it possible for people to read it, blah, blah, blah. So there's that. If you're older, you know everyone in the business, so you have people amplifying your work, they're suddenly reading it and saying, hey, everybody read it. It was before Twitter turned to garbage. Media was still a way to amplify it. It's much harder now, so passing things along through social media has become a real problem. But at that moment, it was not—Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorSo that was totally luck. Also, I wonder if it was because I was suddenly writing something from in the first person, and my voice was just better that way. And I wouldn't have had, like, the courage, you know?Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorAnd also, you're a book critic, which is what I was at The Times. And you certainly are not writing from the first person. And as a columnist, you're not either.Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorSo, you know, those are very kind of constricted forms, and they're also not—there are certainly critics who win Pulitzers. I don't think I was good enough at it. I was good, but it was not good enough. I could name off the top of my head, like, so many critics who were—who are—who haven't even won anything yet. Like Dwight Garner really deserves one. Why has he not won a Pulitzer? He's, I think, the best writer—him and Sophie Gilbert, who keeps coming close. I don't get it, like, what the hell?Jennie NashDo you—as a—as a reader of other people's work, I know you—you mentioned Michael Ondaatje that you'd studied—study him. But do you just recognize when somebody else is on their game? Like, do you recognize the voice or the gloriousness of somebody else's work? Can you just be like, yeah, that...?Jennifer SeniorWell, Philip Roth, sentence for sentence. Martin Amis, even more so—I cannot get over the originality of each of his sentences and the wide vocabulary from which he recruits his words, and, like, maybe some of that is just being English. I think they just get better, kind of more comprehensive. They read more comprehensively. And I always tell people, if they want to improve their voice, they should read the Victorians, like that [unintelligible]. His also facility with metaphor, I don't think, is without equal. The thing is, I can't stand his fiction. I just find it repellent. But his criticism is bangers and his memoirs are great, so I love them.Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorSo I really—I read him very attentively, trying to think of, like, other people whose kind of...Jennie NashI guess I was—I was getting at more... like, genius recognizes genius, that con... that concept, like, when you know you can do this and write in this way from time to time anyway, you can pull it off.Jennifer SeniorYeah, genius as in—I wouldn't—we can't go there.Jennie NashWell, that's the—that's the cliché, right? But, like...Jennifer SeniorOh no, I know, I know. Game—game, game recognizes game.Jennie NashGame recognizes game is a better way of saying it. Like, do you see—that's actually what the phrase is. I don't know where I came up with genius, but...Jennifer SeniorNo, it's fine. You can stick anything in that template, you know—evil recognizes evil, I mean, you know, it's like a...Jennie NashYeah. Do you see it? Do you see it? Like, you can see it in other people?Jennifer SeniorSure. Oh yeah, I see it.Jennie NashYeah.Jennifer SeniorI mean, you're just talking about among my contemporaries, or just as it...Jennie NashJust like anything, like when you pick up a book or you read an article or even listen to a storytelling pack podcast, that sense of being in the hands of somebody who's on it.Jennifer SeniorYeah, I think that Jonathan Goldstein—I mean, I think that the—the Heavyweight Podcast, for sure, is something—and more than that, it's—it's storytelling structure, it's just that—I think that anybody who's a master at structure would just look at that show and be like, yeah, that show nails it each and every time.Jennie NashI've not listened, but I feel like I should end our time together. I would talk to you forever about this, but I always like to leave our listeners with something specific to reflect or practice or do. And is there anything related to metaphor or practicing, finding your voice, owning your voice, that you would suggest for—for folks? You've already suggested a lot.Jennifer SeniorRead the Victorians.Jennie NashAwesome. Any particular one that you would say start with?Jennifer SeniorYeah, you know what? I find Dickens rough sledding. I like his, you know, dear friend Wilkie Collins. I think No Name is one of the greatest books ever. I would read No Name.Jennie NashAmazing. And I will add, go read Jennifer's work. We'll link to a bunch of it in the show notes. Study her and—and watch what she does and learn what she does—that there it is, a master at work, and that's what I would suggest. So thank you for joining us and having this amazing discussion.Jennifer SeniorThis has been super fun.Jennie NashAnd for our listeners, until next time, stop playing small and write like it matters.NarratorThe Hashtag AmWriting Podcast is produced by Andrew Perrella. Our intro music, aptly titled Unemployed Monday, was written and played by Max Cohen. Andrew and Max were paid for their time and their creative output, because everyone deserves to be paid for their work. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit amwriting.substack.com/subscribe

In this meeting of The Late Diagnosis Club, Dr Angela Kingdon welcomes Mike Matthews — a late-diagnosed Autistic dad, writer, music obsessive, and dry-witted survivor of misdiagnosis, medical gaslighting, and five years of unanswered burnout.Together, Angela and Mike explore the messy middle between “something is wrong” and “oh — it's autism,” the years lost to misunderstanding, the grief and relief of late self-discovery, and the unexpected joy of building a life that actually fits.

A daily December series offering tender, truthful support for surviving the holidays after suicide loss — with grief, grace, and gentle company.Get THE Leftover Pieces APP & don't miss anything!

**Trigger Warning - In this episode we discuss suicide in depth.**With her series of books looking to make emotional wellbeing a normal part of childhood, author and CEO of Sophie Says, Esther Marshall tells her story to Zoe & Georgia, as well as answers all your questions on how to navigate the rollercoaster that is grief with our children.Following the death of her sister, Esther has been on a mission to make the mental health of kids today her life's work! Today's chat is deeply emotional, powerful and one which will hopefully help someone who needs it.You can buy Esther's 'Sophie Says' books here and follow her on Instagram @sophiesaysofficialFind a new episode every Tuesday & Friday and in the meantime check out Made By Mammas on Instagram: @madebymammas.Made By Mammas® is an Audio Always production. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life doesn't give you a map for the moments that matter most - birth, loss, and everything in between. So when Jill had Luca, she called in a professional: postpartum doula and all-around force, Laura Veras. While the term "doula" tends to get thrown around a lot (especially in LA), Laura is special. Her journey to becoming a postpartum healer came at a time in her life when death and birth collided. She brings generational Guatemalan wisdom, serious newborn expertise, and a work ethic that doesn't clock out. She helped Jill survive those first weeks — not because parenting needs to be precious, but because nobody should have to go through a major life transition alone.Connect with Laura Veras Connect with US 

What can you change in your life that will bring you happiness and fulfilment? Let's Connect:You can join the Grief and Happiness Alliance which meets weekly on Sundays by clicking hereYou can order the International Best Selling The Grief and Happiness Guide by clicking here.You can order Loving and Living Your Way Through Grief by clicking here at Amazon:You can listen to my podcast, Grief and Happiness, by clicking hereRequest your Awaken Your Happiness Journaling Guide hereSee acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251205dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.” John 1:39 Come and See Whenever something wonderful happens to us, what do we do? We tell someone. We call out to friends and family, inviting them to experience it with us. Whether it’s a sunset, a newborn baby, or the last-second shot that wins the game, we grab their attention and say, “You’ve got to come see this!” We want to share our excitement and joy with others. This is what Andrew did. Andrew had just met Jesus and spent time with him. Once Andrew understood and believed who Jesus truly was—the Lamb of God and the promised Savior—he couldn’t keep the news to himself. He immediately ran to find his brother, Simon Peter, with the excited announcement, “We’ve found the Messiah!” and urged him, “Come and see.” Do you feel that sharing Jesus is complicated? Do you feel unready? Unprepared? Andrew’s invitation was simple and full of heart. There was no pressure, no argument. He radiated the pure joy of encountering someone who transforms lives. This is still how faith is shared today. It does not start with a heated debate or a clever argument—it begins through genuine relationships. When people notice the peace, the hope, and quiet joy that shape your life, they become curious about what makes the difference. Their curiosity opens a door for a simple, heartfelt invitation. You don’t need all the answers or perfect words. You just need to know Jesus. Sharing Jesus does not have to be complicated. It can start with the most natural impulse in the world—an invitation: “Come and see.” This is an open invitation—not just at Advent but year-round. Come and see the One who took your place. Come and see the One who forgives your guilt. Come and see the One who gives your life meaning, direction, and hope. And then—go and tell. When you’ve met the Savior, you’ve got something truly worth sharing. Prayer: Jesus, thank you for inviting me to come and see your grace. Fill me with joy and courage to share you with others. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

*TRIGGER WARNINGThis episode discusses sensitive topics including loss through miscarriage, stillbirth, and infant loss. Certain portions of the episode might prove too graphic for some listeners.ShownotesIn this week's episode, Jennifer has a conversation with bereavement doula and sociologist, Dr. Abby Jorgensen to discuss the challenges faced by both lay people and the Church when it comes to discussing this difficult topic. She also provides clarity on an end of life doula vs. grief doula (loss of child) and what it is like to accompany someone in the grief work she does through her ministry, Haven Bereavement Doulas. Our GuestDr. Abby Jorgensen is a Catholic sociologist, doula, and assistant professor at Saint Louis University, where she specializes in the intersections of pregnancy, grief, and faith. She is the author of A Catholic Guide to Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss (Ave Maria Press, 2024), a compassionate and practical resource rooted in faith and informed by both research and lived experience. In addition to her academic work, she is a certified birth and bereavement doula and the founder of Haven Bereavement Doulas. Find more about the work of Dr. Abby Jorgensen at: https://catholicbereavementdoula.com, or on social media at Abby the Sociologist Doula.ScripturePsalm 34:18John 19:34LinksHaven Bereavement DoulasSt. Gianna Beretta Molla St. Raymond NonnatusDouble effect - St. Thomas' theologyPrayer for the souls of Mandy, Mary Ellen, Sister Mary Sharon, Dick, and JackJournaling QuestionsWhat stood out to you from this episode or resonated strongly with you? Take some time to reflect on the scripture verse Abby mentioned, Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted.” How does it make you feel, thinking about the idea that the Lord is close to us when we are brokenhearted? Does it bring you comfort? Was there anything you found yourself relating to in terms of the responses you've received from others, including clergy, as it relates to your loss?Have you ever sought out someone to help you on your grief journey? Did you have trouble finding someone?What is something that surprised you to learn about the work of a grief doula?Abby spoke about the misconceptions she had about St. Gianna Beretta Molla and how, after gaining a better understanding of her journey to sainthood, St, Gianna has become a friend to her. Are there any saints who you have found who bring you comfort and you ask to intercede on your behalf?What is your mourning glory?We hope you enjoy this episode of the Mourning Glory Podcast and share it with others who are on a journey through grief. You can find links to all of our episodes including a link to our brand new private online community on our website at www.mourningglorypodcast.com. 

Shantel Johnson is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker based in North Carolina. We discuss grief and loss of not only of a parent but, community, loss of self and employment.She she's last been on the show, Shantel left her job at the VA to open a grief focused virtual practice for adults in New Jersey and North Carolina called Shantis Promise. For more information follow her on instagram at www.Instagram.com/shantispromiseFollow the podcast at https://www. Instagram.com/thesocialworkrantspodcast

A skeptical investigator joined a paranormal team expecting a thrill, maybe an EVP, maybe nothing at all. But when the group stepped into a vandalized graveyard at two in the morning, the silence wasn't empty — it was charged. The air thickened. The temperature shifted. Something unseen pushed in close enough to feel. Then it touched him. A single arm went icy cold — ten degrees colder than the rest of his body — while a heaviness settled over him so intense it felt borrowed. Not fear. Not panic. Sorrow. Grief so sharp it brought tears without a single thought to trigger them. And he wasn't the only one. Another investigator suddenly burst into tears, claiming she felt someone holding her hand. Maybe something tied to that shattered gravestone wanted to be heard — not with sound, but with feeling. Maybe some spirits don't speak… they share. #ghoststory #trueghoststories #paranormalinvestigation #graveyardencounter #EVPsession #realhaunting #creepyencounter #supernaturalstories #ghostteam #hauntedcemetery Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

How do you find hope when life unexpectedly thrusts you into the valley of loss? How do you navigate the rugged terrain of pain?For Nothing is Wasted's Podcast Producer and Content Director, Catherine Fitzgerald, the heartbreak and trauma of losing her brother, Zac, plunged her into a valley unlike anything she had ever experienced. In the aftermath came secondary losses of community and identity and a spiritual desolation that felt like a dark night of the soul. She found herself wondering how she would ever find her way back to faith.And yet, God met her there—through the book of Psalms and through the stories of others, like Davey Blackburn—offering a glimmer of light to guide her toward hope.Now, in Nothing is Wasted's latest project, Catherine has gathered and edited a collection of stories from past podcast guests, Nothing is Wasted Coaches, and team members. Each story weaves together personal journeys through pain, loss, and trauma with reflections on the Psalms, forming a powerful new devotional—Hope in the Valley: 42 Days of Healing Through the Psalms After Loss, Grief, and Tragedy.In this episode, Davey and Catherine look back on their own stories and their shared journey through Nothing is Wasted. Together, they explore how loss reshapes every part of our lives, the often messy wrestle for hope, and why stories are such a vital part of nurturing faith in the valley of pain.If you've ever believed that hope simply means “looking on the bright side,” this conversation will remind you that true hope is far more complex—gritty, raw, and worth fighting for. And often, it's the stories of others that become our most powerful weapon in that fight. Instagram: instagram.com/thecatfitzBook: Hope in the Valley: 42 Days of Healing Through the Psalms After Loss, Grief, and Tragedy www.nothingiswasted.com/hopeinthevalleyEvery story shared through Nothing is Wasted becomes part of a living legacy and you can be a part. Join the legacy and give today: www.nothingiswasted.com/legacyofhope Stories matter. They inspire, uplift, and remind us we're not alone in our pain. Hope in the Valley: 42 Days of Healing Through the Psalms After Loss, Grief, and Tragedy is a new devotional featuring real stories from the Nothing Is Wasted community—offering strength, comfort, and hope in life's hardest moments. Order your copy today at: www.nothingiswasted.com/hopeinthevalley Wondering where to get started on your journey towards healing? Join Davey on our next FREE, live Zoom call and find out how you can begin to take back your story and how Nothing is Wasted can help. Sign up today at: www.nothingiswasted.com/starthere Looking for help in navigating the valley of pain and trauma? Our Nothing is Wasted coaches can help: www.nothingiswasted.com/coaching Want a pathway through your pain? The Pain to Purpose Course can lead you through all you've been through: www.nothingiswasted.com/paintoppurpose Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[This episode originally aired on Mental Health and Mission of the Church Podcast w/ Chip Judd.  You can subscribe to his YouTube Channel here, where you will find a video version of this conversation]Hey, Seacoast.You're about to meet Lauren, the woman whose decision changed my life forever.After 8 years of battling lung disease, I was running out of breath—literally. I was nearing the end of what my body could handle. Then came the call: “We have a match.”.”Those lungs belonged to PJ, Lauren's husband.He had died by suicide. And in the middle of her heartbreak, Lauren made an unthinkably selfless choice to give others life through her husband's passing.In this conversation, Lauren and I sit down to talk about what came next: how you rebuild after loss, how faith holds when everything falls apart, and what it really means to find hope in the darkest places.It's raw. It's redemptive. And it's real. If you've ever faced grief, struggled with mental health, or wondered where God is in the middle of tragedy, you'll likely connect deeply to this one.  -- Pastor Chip JuddWe have a YouTube Channel for videos of all episodes since Jan. 2024. Also we have a Facebook Page for listeners to keep up with the latest news on "Things You Won't Hear on Sunday" Podcast. Producer/Editor/host: Joey SvendsenSound Engineer/Editor: Katelyn Vandiver Be a Patron of the podcast

In this episode of Healthy Mind, Healthy Life, host Avik Chakraborty sits down with scientist, biotech leader and debut novelist Shivani Malik to unpack how grief can quietly reroute a life that looks “perfect” on paper. Shivani shares how losing her mother. the person who championed her move from India to the US for a PhD and a career in cancer research. forced her to ask a hard question. Am I building the life I truly choose. or the one that was handed to me as the immigrant gold standard Her debut novel “The Sky Is Different Here” becomes the container for that inquiry. blending STEM and storytelling to explore grief, ambition, belonging, identity, women in STEM and the emotional cost of chasing the immigrant dream. If you have ever hit your goals and still felt strangely empty. this conversation will land close to home and give you pragmatic language and tools to actually sit with your emotions instead of outrunning them.   About The Guest:   Shivani Malik is a scientist, immigrant, biotech leader and debut novelist. She moved from India to the United States for her PhD. trained at Stanford and UCSF and built a high impact career in cancer research and drug development. After the sudden death of her mother. Shivani began writing as a way to process unresolved grief and question the version of success she had been running toward. That process eventually became her debut novel “The Sky Is Different Here.” a work of fiction rooted in real emotional truths about loss, belonging and the complexity of being a woman, immigrant and dream chaser. Today she continues her work in biotech while using story as a way to build community around shared struggle, invisible expectations and the cost of never slowing down.   Key Takeaways: Grief will not stay in the background forever. Shivani reached a point in her postdoctoral training where the “unopened package of grief” for her mother made it impossible to keep functioning on autopilot. The immigrant dream can silently become an emotional contract. She names how passion for science and external expectations blend. making it hard to tell where genuine desire ends and cultural pressure begins. Fiction gave her psychological safety. By fictionalizing roughly shaped versions of her lived experience. she could tell the emotional truth without exposing specific people, institutions or workplaces. Science and storytelling share the same backbone. In the lab you still “tell a story” about how a cancer drug works and who it can help. That pattern of connecting dots translated directly into shaping a novel. Healing required both solitude and community. Writing helped her sit with grief. but reading other grief stories and later sharing her own created a sense of community that science culture had not given her. Everyone carries loss and dislocation. whether it is a person, a home or a sense of belonging. Shivani urges listeners to find some way to express it. through writing, conversation, walking, meditation or sitting with feelings instead of numbing them. Expression is step one. sharing is step two. Naming your experience with someone who truly “gets it” becomes a powerful way to move forward rather than just cope. How To Connect With Shivani Malik  : Shivani mentioned three primary ways to reach her. Book  Personal Website : You can leave her a direct message and learn more about “The Sky Is Different Here.”   Want to be a guest on Healthy Mind, Healthy Life?DM on PM . Send me a message on PodMatch DM Me Here: https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/avik   Disclaimer: This video is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed are the personal opinions of the guest and do not reflect the views of the host or Healthy Mind By Avik™️. We do not intend to harm, defame or discredit any person, organization, brand, product, country or profession mentioned. All third party media used remain the property of their respective owners and are used under fair use for informational purposes. By watching, you acknowledge and accept this disclaimer.   Healthy Mind By Avik™️ is a global platform redefining mental health as a necessity, not a luxury. Born during the pandemic. it has become a sanctuary for healing, growth and mindful living. Hosted by Avik Chakraborty. a storyteller, survivor and wellness advocate. this channel shares powerful podcasts and soul nurturing conversations on • Mental Health and Emotional Well being• Mindfulness and Spiritual Growth• Holistic Healing and Conscious Living• Trauma Recovery and Self Empowerment With over 4,400 plus episodes and 168.4K plus global listeners. we unite voices, break stigma and build a world where every story matters. Subscribe and be part of this healing journey.   Contact   Brand: Healthy Mind By Avik™Email: join@healthymindbyavik.com | podcast@healthymindbyavik.comWebsite: www.healthymindbyavik.comBased in: India and USA Open to collaborations, guest appearances, coaching and strategic partnerships. Let us connect to create a ripple effect of positivity. Check Podcast Shows and Be A Guest   Listen to our 17 podcast shows here: https://www.podbean.com/podcast-network/healthymindbyavikBe a guest on our other shows: https://www.healthymindbyavik.com/beaguestVideo testimonial: https://www.healthymindbyavik.com/testimonialsJoin our guest and listener community: https://nas.io/healthymindSubscribe to newsletter: https://healthymindbyavik.substack.com/   Our Services   Business Podcast Management . https://ourofferings.healthymindbyavik.com/corporatepodcasting/Individual Podcast Management . https://ourofferings.healthymindbyavik.com/Podcasting/Share Your Story With World . https://ourofferings.healthymindbyavik.com/shareyourstory   Stay Tuned And Follow Us   Medium . https://medium.com/@contentbyavikYouTube . https://www.youtube.com/@healthymindbyavikInstagram . https://www.instagram.com/healthyminds.pod/Facebook . https://www.facebook.com/podcast.healthymindLinkedin Page . https://www.linkedin.com/company/healthymindbyavikLinkedIn . https://www.linkedin.com/in/avikchakrabortypodcaster/Twitter . https://twitter.com/podhealthclubPinterest . https://www.pinterest.com/Avikpodhealth/   Share Your Review   Share your Google review . https://www.podpage.com/bizblend/reviews/new/Share a video testimonial and it will be displayed on our website . https://famewall.healthymindbyavik.com/ Because every story matters and yours could be the one that lights the way.   #podmatch #healthymind #healthymindbyavik #wellness #HealthyMindByAvik #MentalHealthAwareness#comedypodcast #truecrimepodcast #historypodcast #startupspodcast #podcasthost #podcasttips #podcaststudio #podcastseries #podcastformentalhealth #podcastforentrepreneurs #podcastformoms #femalepodcasters #podcastcommunity #podcastgoals #podcastrecommendations #bestpodcast #podcastlovers #podcastersofinstagram #newpodcastalert #podcast #podcasting #podcastlife #podcasts #spotifypodcast #applepodcasts #podbean #podcastcommunity #podcastgoals #bestpodcast #podcastlovers #podcasthost #podcastseries #podcastforspeakers#StorytellingAsMedicine #PodcastLife #PersonalDevelopment #ConsciousLiving #GrowthMindset #MindfulnessMatters #VoicesOfUnity #InspirationDaily #podcast #podcasting #podcaster #podcastlife #podcastlove #podcastshow #podcastcommunity #newpodcast #podcastaddict #podcasthost #podcastepisode #podcastinglife #podrecommendation #wellnesspodcast #healthpodcast #mentalhealthpodcast #wellbeing #selfcare #mentalhealth #mindfulness #healthandwellness #wellnessjourney #mentalhealthmatters #mentalhealthawareness #healthandwellnesspodcast #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #viral #trending #tiktok #tiktokviral #explore #trendingvideo #youtube #motivation #inspiration #positivity #mindset #selflove #success  

Episode Summary: Christmas is often described as the most wonderful time of the year, but for many, it doesn’t feel that way. Whether because of grief, loneliness, financial strain, or painful memories, the holidays can intensify sadness instead of joy. Today on Your Hope-Filled Perspective, Jessica Van Roekel and I want to talk about what we call a ‘Blue Christmas.’ Together, we’ll explore why it’s important to give ourselves and others permission to grieve during the holiday season, how God meets us in our pain, and ways to navigate December with compassion and hope. Quotables from the episode: For some, Christmas brings laughter, lights, and loved ones. But for others, it’s a season that magnifies loss, heartache, or isolation. If you or someone you know is struggling this Christmas, you’re not alone. On today’s episode of Your Hope-Filled Perspective, Jessica Van Roekel and I will share how to give space for what we call a ‘Blue Christmas’—a time when we acknowledge that the holidays can be hard, while also discovering God’s gentle presence and the hope He offers, even in the midst of sorrow. I wanted to acknowledge that while Christmas is often referred to the most joyous time of year, it isn’t for everyone, and it’s important for us to acknowledge our thoughts and feelings, but simultaneously continue to put our hope in God. Often, Christmas is portrayed as magical, joyous, and full of peace. But for many, that’s simply not the reality. Grief, depression, loneliness, or broken family relationships can make Christmas feel heavy. And pretending everything is fine when it’s not only deepens the ache. God invites us to bring Him our honest emotions. Think about the Psalms—David poured out his sorrows, and yet found hope in God’s presence. Let’s name some reasons people might struggle at Christmas: Grief from losing a loved one. Family estrangement or broken relationships. Loneliness, especially for singles, widows, or those far from family. Financial hardship that makes gift-giving stressful. Mental health battles like depression or anxiety. Unmet expectations. Christmas can amplify those pains. Lights and carols may remind us of what we don’t have. But Jesus came into a world of darkness. Isaiah 9:2 says, “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” His presence is especially near to the brokenhearted (Psalm 34:18). Sometimes we pressure ourselves to “put on a happy face.” But it’s okay to grieve at Christmas. Lament is part of worship. Jesus Himself wept (John 11:35). If the Son of God cried at loss, then tears are holy too. Giving yourself permission to be real is not a lack of faith. We can also set boundaries. Maybe we can’t attend every party. Maybe we create new traditions that feel gentler for our souls this year. Sometimes the best gift is presence, not presents. Just sitting with someone, listening, or sending a simple “thinking of you” note can mean the world. And don’t say, “You should be happy, it’s Christmas.” Instead, validate their feelings. Romans 12:15 says, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Another practical tip—invite them into your traditions in small ways, without pressure. Even a quiet cup of cocoa together can bring comfort. At the heart of Christmas is Emmanuel—God with us. That truth doesn’t change, whether our Christmas is merry or blue. We can both acknowledge sorrow and cling to hope. One way is through Scripture meditation. Even reading Luke 2 slowly and remembering that Christ entered a broken, chaotic world can remind us we’re not alone. Some practical things that help: Create a memory box or light a candle in honor of a loved one. Simplify expectations. You don’t have to do all the traditions. Prioritize rest and self-care. Spend time with safe people who encourage your heart. And when emotions overwhelm, breathe a prayer like: “Lord, hold me in this moment.” God doesn’t require eloquence—He wants our honesty. Friend, if you’re facing a Blue Christmas, know this: You are not broken because you feel sorrow. God sees you, loves you, and promises to draw near. He is “Immanuel—God with us.” That’s the real miracle of Christmas. Whether your Christmas is filled with joy or tears, His presence is your anchor. Scripture References: Psalm 42:11 “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Put your hope in God…” Matthew 1:23 “They will call Him Immanuel, which means ‘God with us.’” Ecclesiastes 3:4 “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance” Isaiah 9:2 “The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.” Psalm 34:18 His presence is especially near to the brokenhearted. Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” Recommended Resources: Reframing Rejection: How Looking Through a Different Lens Changes Everything By Jessica Van Roekel Sacred Scars: Resting in God’s Promise That Your Past Is Not Wasted by Dr. Michelle Bengtson The Hem of His Garment: Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner AWSA 2024 Golden Scroll Christian Living Book of the Year and the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Christian Living and Non-Fiction categories YouVersion 5-Day Devotional Reaching Out To God When Pain Overwhelms Today is Going to be a Good Day: 90 Promises from God to Start Your Day Off Right by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, AWSA Member of the Year, winner of the AWSA 2023 Inspirational Gift Book of the Year Award, the 2024 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in the Devotional category, the 2023 Christian Literary Awards Reader’s Choice Award in four categories, and the Christian Literary Awards Henri Award for Devotionals YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 1 YouVersion Devotional, Today is Going to be a Good Day version 2 Revive & Thrive Women’s Online Conference Revive & Thrive Summit 2 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 1 Trusting God through Cancer Summit 2 Breaking Anxiety’s Grip: How to Reclaim the Peace God Promises by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the AWSA 2020 Best Christian Living Book First Place, the first place winner for the Best Christian Living Book, the 2020 Carolina Christian Writer’s Conference Contest winner for nonfiction, and winner of the 2021 Christian Literary Award’s Reader’s Choice Award in all four categories for which it was nominated (Non-Fiction Victorious Living, Christian Living Day By Day, Inspirational Breaking Free and Testimonial Justified by Grace categories.) YouVersion Bible Reading Plan for Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Breaking Anxiety’s Grip Free Study Guide Free PDF Resource: How to Fight Fearful/Anxious Thoughts and Win Hope Prevails: Insights from a Doctor’s Personal Journey Through Depression by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Henri and Reader’s Choice Award Hope Prevails Bible Study by Dr. Michelle Bengtson, winner of the Christian Literary Award Reader’s Choice Award Free Webinar: Help for When You’re Feeling Blue Social Media Links for Host and Guest: Connect with Jessica Van Roekel: Website / Instagram / Facebook For more hope, stay connected with Dr. Bengtson at: Order Book Sacred Scars / Order Book The Hem of His Garment / Order Book Today is Going to be a Good Day / Order Book Breaking Anxiety’s Grip / Order Book Hope Prevails / Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter (@DrMBengtson) / LinkedIn / Instagram / Pinterest / YouTube / Podcast on Apple Co-Host: Jessica Van Roekel is a worship leader, speaker, and writer who believes that through Jesus, personal histories don’t need to define the present or determine the future. She inspires, encourages, and equips others to look at life through the lenses of hope, trust, and God’s transforming grace. Jessica lives in rural Iowa surrounded by wide open spaces which remind her of God’s expansive love. She loves fun earrings, good coffee, and connecting with others. Hosted By: Dr. Michelle Bengtson Audio Technical Support: Bryce Bengtson Discover more Christian podcasts at lifeaudio.com and inquire about advertising opportunities at lifeaudio.com/contact-us.

A daily December series offering tender, truthful support for surviving the holidays after suicide loss — with grief, grace, and gentle company.Get THE Leftover Pieces APP & don't miss anything!

In this episode of Widowed 2 Soon, Michelle Bader Ebersole shares a personal look at Friendsgiving, holiday moments, and the honest ups and downs of grief. She explains why the old “stages of grief” model doesn't fit real life and introduces the more accurate idea of grief waves—along with simple grounding techniques to help you stay steady when emotions hit hard. Whether you're newly widowed or years into this journey, you'll find comfort, clarity, and practical support.What You'll LearnHow grief shows up in waves, not stagesGrounding tools for overwhelming momentsEncouragement for navigating holidays and anniversariesWays churches and communities can better support widowsReal stories from Michelle's own healing journeyFocus Keyword: Grief WavesKiller Quote: “What we feel, God can heal.”If this episode encourages you, share it with someone who needs extra support today.Click HERE to learn about the Widow Goals Support Program Click Here to learn more about the upcoming Widow Goals retreatClick HERE to order Michelle's book Widow Goals: Steps to Finding Peace When You Lose Your SpouseClick HERE to order the Widow Goals WorkbookClick HERE to order the Widow Goals Workbook Leader GuideClick here to be sent an email on the anniversary of your spouse's passing, wedding anniversary, and more Click HERE to review Widow Goals on AmazonBook Michelle as a speakerGo here to see a list of all the areas we have Widow Goals Groups⁠⁠To join our podcast listener community, send me a message here. Thank you!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Click Here to apply to be a guest on Widowed 2 Soon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow Michelle on TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow me on Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/widowed2soon_/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/widowgoals⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠See my videos on Youtube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Subscribe to our YouTube Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Email me michelle@widowgoals.org

Grief and gratitude can coexist, providing a powerfulfoundation for personal transformation and healing. By embracing gratitudeduring your grief journey, you can cultivate resilience, discover meaning andpurpose in your experiences, and ultimately achieve greater peace, acceptance,and growth. Over half of Americans will experience a major loss within threeyears, with grief affecting a vast number of people annually due to the highincidence of deaths and other losses. For instance, in a single year, 2.5million Americans die, leaving behind at least 12.5 million grieving lovedones. Additionally, a study indicated that about one in three Americansexperienced a serious illness, the death of a loved one, or the death of a petin the year before the survey, as reported by USATODAY. Amanda Landes is a licensed psychologist with experience inboth private practice and forensic settings.“I believe I offer a unique perspective based on my personaland professional experiences. I am dedicated to understanding human behaviorthrough hard work and empathy, viewing both aspects as essential to helpothers. I am humble, quirky, and don't take myself too seriously, which manyfind makes me approachable and easy to converse with. I enjoy discussing humanbehavior in a lighthearted and relatable way, often using metaphors or TV showreferences to illustrate my points. Recently, I published my first book, I'm Almost Okay. Thebook chronicles my experiences managing my father's cancer diagnosis andultimate death, as well as the other difficult co-occurring events in my lifeat that time. I combine personal and professional insights to offer guidance toreaders about coping with grief, gratitude, and interpersonal connection.” Follow me on Instagram: @amandaelandes  Get my book: [I'm Almost Okay: NavigatingMiscarriage](https://www.amazon.ca/Im-Almost-Okay-Navigating-Miscarriage/dp/B0FXDFTSWB)  Email: Amanda@imalmostok.com

Grief is one of the toughest journeys we face and one every one of us walks through it at some point in our lives. In this special mini-episode of Celebrate Your Story, Jim reflects on the stories Celebrations Pulse readers shared about loss, healing, and the ways we show up for one another. From the wisdom of "there's no timeline for grief" to the power of a buddy check, these stories remind us that comfort grows from simple presence. Community members share how they endured unimaginable loss, found strength in counseling groups, leaned on faith, celebrated beautiful memories, and learned to let grief move through them instead of fighting it.

Starting in her twenties—and quickly shaped by an experience of profound love and loss—Lauren Carroll has devoted her life to the funeral profession and the wider end-of-life field. In guiding people through loss and grief, she's found that creativity can offer the action we instinctively seek. Whether you set up an altar, create a collage, connect with nature, make space to remember, dance, shout, sing, or write… we crave actions that help move and shape our grief. And when creativity is paired with community, it creates a space—both within and around us—where loss can soften, even if just a little. At one point in our conversation, I read a line from The Art of Grieving: How the Arts and Art Making Help Us Grieve and Live Our Best Lives by Sheila Collins: “To what life is this loss calling us?” (Listen in for the full, beautiful story behind that question.) www.lamort.org

Grief is difficult. We all experience it—and we experience it differently. But what if you could break down some of the barriers created by grief? Join author Edie Melson as she shares her story of grief and the story behind this book. www.EdieMelson.com ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Look for HOPE is Here: - at www.HOPEisHere.Today - on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HOPEisHereToday - on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hopeisherelex/ - on X (Twitter) - https://www.x.com/hopeisherelex - on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@hopeisherelex - on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtJ47I4w6atOHr7agGpOuvA Help us bring HOPE and encouragement to others: - by texting the word GIVE to 833-713-1591 - by visiting https://www.hopeisheretoday.org/donate   #Lexington #Kentucky #christianradio #JesusRadio #Jesus #WJMM #GregHorn #GregJHorn #suicideprevention #KentuckyRadio #HOPEisHere #Hope #HopeinJesus #FoodForThoughtFriday #MondayMotivation #FridayFeeling #Motivation #Inspiration #cupofHope #FYP #ForYouPage #SuicideAwareness

Before I can continue with Podcast Interviews and further topics, I need to share how I have been Cracked Open by Grief. I am hoping that my personal story will be relatable and might just help someone who is struggling like me. Grief is not linear and can be Life Altering. Grief can come from all different types of loses but they all have one thing in common, sadness and pain. Listen to my latest Podcast and let's get through loss together, in whatever form it may come in. 

Welcome to my podcast, The Wellness Project with Des, where I speak about all things mental health and wellness to bring you actionable tips you can implement in your own life to help improve your mental health and overall well-being.On today's episode, I speak with therapist Stacy Schaffer about grief in children.For detailed show notes and where to find Stacy: accordingtodes.com/210Want to work together? Schedule your free 30-minute consultation call:https://calendly.com/thewellnessprojectwithdes/coaching-consultationShow your love and support for the podcast by buying me a cup of coffee: buymeacoffee.com/thewellnessprojectwithdesShop wellness and positivity products from my Redbubble store:https://www.redbubble.com/people/AccordingtoDes/shop?asc=uCheck out books and products written or recommended by my amazing podcast guests:https://www.amazon.com/shop/influencer-3be311d1?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_aipsfinfluencer-3be311d1_GRVS2AR62H5TFFHR13RQBecome a part of my Facebook community: facebook.com/groups/accordingtodesFollow me on Instagram: instagram.com/thewellnessprojectwithdesFollow me on TikTok: tiktok.com/@therapywithdes.lcswI would greatly appreciate it if you would take a moment to leave a review for my podcast on iTunes and/or Spotify. Thank you! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-wellness-project-with-des/id1477570126

https://wels2.blob.core.windows.net/daily-devotions/20251204dev.mp3 Listen to Devotion Restore us, O God; make your face shine on us, that we may be saved. Psalm 80:3 Restore Us, O God “Do you see me?” This silent question lingers behind many cries for help. In a world filled with overwhelming noise, loneliness, and struggle, people long to know that someone notices them. They want the comfort of knowing that someone genuinely cares. Psalm 80 gives voice to those who feel left behind and overlooked. They’ve wandered away from God. Surrounded by adversity, they are broken and lost. Still, they don’t give up. Instead of surrendering to despair and defeat, they cry out to God in prayer: “Restore us, O God! Make your face shine on us, that we may be saved.” This prayer paints a beautiful picture—God’s face shining upon his people. Rather than shining with anger or disappointment, God's face radiates love, joy, and grace. When God’s face shines on you, it means that he does see you. And seeing you, he smiles upon you, sings over you, and rejoices to rescue and restore you. Yet, how can sinful people like us stand in the brilliance of God’s presence and live? On our own, we cannot. We have failed to imitate his love and have turned away from him. Like Israel, we experience the consequences—broken relationships, heavy hearts, and lingering guilt. Despite our sinfulness, Advent brings hope. The face of God has already shone on this world—in the face of Jesus Christ. He came into our darkness to bring light. He came, not to condemn but to restore. He carried our sin and shame and rose again to give us peace. Even when we feel lost or forgotten, God hears our prayers for restoration. Through Jesus, God truly sees you—and in seeing you, he forgives you, welcomes you, and rejoices over you. As you wait for Jesus to come again, you do not wait alone or in the dark. You wait enveloped in the warmth of God’s grace. Prayer: Lord, when I feel far from you, turn my heart back. Restore me by your mercy. Let your face shine on me through Jesus, my Savior. Amen. Daily Devotions is brought to you by WELS. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License. All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.

In this bonus episode, I'm sharing something personal. Over the past few months, I've experienced several losses… and just prior to that, a running injury that took me away from the one outlet I've always relied on to release emotion.Between the grief, the stress, worry, frustration, and losing my main coping tool, I had to be incredibly intentional about processing my emotions so I didn't turn to food, wine, or numbing behaviors.Today, I'm walking you through the first few steps I used that you can start using today. They're the exact steps that helped me handle the heaviness without slipping into emotional eating, stress eating, or old patterns. If you've ever struggled with overeating during sadness, worry, stress, or emotional overload… this episode will give you a gentle, practical place to start.__________

In this episode of Groove with Portia, I sit down with Arik Housley, father of Alaina Marie Housley, one of the victims of the 2018 Borderline shooting. Arik opens his heart and shares how he's navigating life after unimaginable loss through his bestselling book Always November: Lessons in Loss, Love, and Resilience. We reflect on the bittersweet nature of holidays, memories that live on in the smallest gestures, and what it means to turn a day of tragedy into a movement of gratitude and grace.We explore the tenderness of father-daughter connection, the last moments they shared, and how Alaina's light continues to shine through stories, signs, and service. Arik shares how he and his wife Hannah leaned into each other through grief, emphasizing presence, communication, and the decision to focus not on gun control—but on healing, love, and ending hate. If you've ever lost someone suddenly or felt your way through public pain, this episode will remind you that love always leaves a trail, and you don't have to walk grief alone.Connect with Arik: https://arikhousley.com/

Send us a textThe holidays can feel like a spotlight—bright, demanding, and sometimes blinding—especially when there's an empty chair at the table. We sit down with certified grief educator Maria Belanic, whose loss of her son reshaped how she understands healing, to talk candidly about what helps, what hurts, and how kindness can make the season more human. Instead of pushing forced cheer or tidy endings, we build a framework for real support that honors memories and respects limits.Maria unpacks why grief doesn't follow stages or timelines and offers her CARE pillars—Compassion, Acknowledge, Release, Embrace—as a steady guide through unpredictable days. Together, we challenge holiday myths, share simple scripts you can use right away, and normalize changing plans: keep a tradition, reinvent it, or skip it entirely. We talk about naming the person who's missing, bringing a favorite dish in their honor, and asking better questions like “How are you feeling today?” that invite truth without pressure. You'll learn how to set boundaries with hosts, plan graceful exits, and support someone who chooses to stay home without making them feel forgotten.This conversation is about presence over performance and attention over avoidance. If you've worried about “saying the wrong thing,” you'll hear clear, compassionate alternatives. If you're grieving, you'll get language to protect your energy and permission to be exactly where you are. And if you love someone who is grieving, you'll discover small kindnesses that turn isolation into connection.If this resonates, share it with someone who might need gentler holidays this year, then follow and leave a review so more people can find conversations that heal.This podcast is a proud member of the Mayday Media Network — your go-to hub for podcast creators. Whether you're just starting a podcast and need professional production support, or you already host a show and want to join a collaborative, supportive podcast network, visit maydaymedianetwork.com to learn more. Enjoyed this episode? Stay connected with us! Follow our podcast community on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok for uplifting, inspirational, and feel-good stories. Don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for monthly updates, behind-the-scenes insights, and more content designed to brighten your day." “Intro music: ‘Human First' by Mike Baker – YouTube Music: https://youtu.be/wRXqkYVarGA | Podcast: Still Here, Still Trying | Website: www.mikebakerhq.com Support the show

A life can fall apart and still grow deeper roots. That's the energy of our conversation with award-winning author and podcaster Theo Boyd, whose first memoir sparked national attention and whose next book, Hope All the Way, turns tender signs and hard data into a roadmap for living with loss. We begin with the question so many grievers whisper: am I doing this right? Theo shares how formal training validated what her heart already knew—there's no single path, but there are better choices. Integrated grief becomes our north star: building a future that holds the past, telling stories that keep loved ones present, and creating rituals that transform memory into momentum.We move from personal to cultural with Theo's original national study, The Silent Weight of Grief in America. The findings are striking: most grieving Americans want more media that actually teaches coping, while many feel pressure to hide their sorrow, especially younger millennials. We talk about why people look to media for guidance, how that can help or hurt, and what needs to change across workplaces, schools, and social feeds to normalize grief literacy. Instead of vague platitudes, we offer concrete language and practices that lower the burden: permission to feel, community that listens, and habits that anchor the day.Threaded through it all are the signs Theo trusts: a partner whose life echoes her parents, a song about dirt that sent her home, and a plan to build on the family farm with pieces of the old house woven into the new. Hope becomes tangible—recipes saved for the holidays, a notebook on the kitchen table, fences repaired, pastures prepared. It's the opposite of moving on; it's carrying forward with care. If you've struggled to reconcile love and loss, you'll leave with language, perspective, and a few next steps that make the weight easier to bear.If this conversation resonated, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a review so more people can find tools and hope when they need it most.To learn more about Theo, visit her website: https://thinktheo.com/Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/bereaved-but-still-me--2108929/support.

“What happens when the strong one breaks?”In this powerful episode, Dr. Pamela Buchanan — a 20-year ER physician, burnout expert, and mental health advocate — shares her deeply vulnerable journey through overwhelming stress, pandemic trauma, and suicidal thoughts, and how purpose and healing helped her rise again. During the pandemic, Dr. Pam worked up to 100-hour weeks fighting to save lives while silently losing her own. In this heartfelt conversation, she opens up about the emotional toll of losing patients daily, hiding depression, and how her breaking point turned into a breakthrough.Now, she helps female physicians prevent burnout, redefine boundaries, and reclaim purpose. This conversation is not just for healthcare workers, it's for every woman navigating stress, over-functioning, or feeling like they must be everything for everyone.⭐ Featured GuestDr. Pamela Buchanan, MDER Physician | Burnout Prevention Coach | Speaker | Stress Management Expert | Mental Health Advocate

Dan begins with a little known case of the Warren's about a grieving family heirloom and a century-old pact. Then,  we'll examine what many consider to be America's first documented ghost story.  Was Sullivan, Maine really home to America's first documented ghost? Then, Lynze gives us two unsettling tales this week. Her first takes us to a prison infirmary for a both a paranormal and very real life set of fears. She wraps up this week with a teacher and a student both experiencing something rather bizarre. Do you want to get all of our episodes a WEEK early, ad free? Want to help us support amazing charities? Join us on Patreon!Want to be a Patron? Get episodes AD-FREE, listen and watch before they are released to anyone else, bonus episodes, a 20% merch discount, additional content, and more! Learn more by visiting: https://www.patreon.com/scaredtodeathpodcast.Send stories to mystory@scaredtodeathpodcast.comSend everything else to info@scaredtodeathpodcast.comPlease rate, review, and subscribe anywhere you listen.Thank you for listening!Follow the show on social media: @scaredtodeathpodcast on Facebook and IG and TTWebsite: https://www.badmagicproductions.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/scaredtodeathpodcastInstagram: https://bit.ly/2miPLf5Mailing Address:Scared to Deathc/o Timesuck PodcastPO Box 3891Coeur d'Alene, ID 83816Opening Sumerian protection spell (adapted):"Whether thou art a ghost that hath come from the earth, or a phantom of night that hath no home… or one that lieth dead in the desert… or a ghost unburied… or a demon or a ghoul… Whatever thou be until thou art removed… thou shalt find here no water to drink… Thou shalt not stretch forth thy hand to our own… Into our house enter thou not. Through our fence, breakthrough thou not… we are protected though we may be frightened. Our life you may not steal, though we may feel SCARED TO DEATH." Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of Scared to Death ad-free and a whole week early. Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

A skeptical investigator joined a paranormal team expecting a thrill, maybe an EVP, maybe nothing at all. But when the group stepped into a vandalized graveyard at two in the morning, the silence wasn't empty — it was charged. The air thickened. The temperature shifted. Something unseen pushed in close enough to feel. Then it touched him. A single arm went icy cold — ten degrees colder than the rest of his body — while a heaviness settled over him so intense it felt borrowed. Not fear. Not panic. Sorrow. Grief so sharp it brought tears without a single thought to trigger them. And he wasn't the only one. Another investigator suddenly burst into tears, claiming she felt someone holding her hand. Maybe something tied to that shattered gravestone wanted to be heard — not with sound, but with feeling. Maybe some spirits don't speak… they share. #ghoststory #trueghoststories #paranormalinvestigation #graveyardencounter #EVPsession #realhaunting #creepyencounter #supernaturalstories #ghostteam #hauntedcemetery Love real ghost stories? Don't just listen—join us on YouTube and be part of the largest community of real paranormal encounters anywhere. Subscribe now and never miss a chilling new story:

In this heartfelt coaching session, Christine works with Jemma, who feels confused and heartbroken after believing that God led her into a relationship that ultimately ended in disappointment. Jemma wrestles with feelings of self-blame, loss, and spiritual doubt as she questions whether she misunderstood divine guidance—or was somehow being punished. Christine helps her see the situation through a lens of truth and compassion. Together, they explore how childhood wounds shape patterns of self-sacrifice, and how spiritual confusion often arises when we project human expectations onto God. Jemma learns that she hasn't "lost herself"—she was simply operating from childhood survival strategies, and she's now being invited to evolve through love, loss, and faith. If you've ever felt like the universe led you somewhere painful, this episode will help you find meaning, peace, and trust in a bigger plan. Consider / Ask Yourself: Have you ever felt misled by God or the universe? Do you blame yourself when relationships don't work out? Do you confuse caretaking or fawning with true connection? Are you interpreting disappointment as a sign you did something wrong? Key Insights and A-HAs: We often project human disappointment and abandonment onto God. "Losing yourself" is actually slipping back into old survival patterns. Every relationship can be a stepping stone toward deeper healing. Grief and progress can coexist—healing is not linear. Compassion for younger parts of ourselves softens relational patterns. How to Deepen the Work: Reflect on how childhood shaped your approach to intimacy and caretaking. Replace "I lost myself" with "I shifted into coping—and now I'm returning to myself." Journal about how this relationship moved you forward rather than backward. Spend time nurturing your inner child—the part of you longing for safety. Engage with God or your spiritual source as a loving presence, not a judge. Sponsor: Cured Nutrition Christine recommends Flow Gummies from Cured Nutrition for focused, sustained energy without jitters. Made with Lion's Mane, ginkgo, and green coffee extract, Flow supports mental clarity and smooth, balanced energy. Get 20% off when you subscribe at curednutrition.com/overit with code OVERIT. Coaching with Christine: Christine now has openings in two coaching pathways: • A VIP six-month mentorship for deep, ongoing transformation • A focused 10-week laser container for targeted support Apply at christinehassler.com/coaching-christine.   Social Media + Resources: Christine Hassler — Take a Coaching Assessment Christine Hassler Podcasts, including Coach's Corner Instagram: @ChristineHassler | @SacredUnionCouples Facebook: Christine Hassler Book: Expectation Hangover by Christine Hassler Email: jill@christinehassler.com — For information on Christine's services Apply to be coached live on the show: christinehassler.com/waitlist

Trigger Warning: Discussion of Infertility and Pregnancy Loss. In this episode (originally aired on 3/5/25), I sit down with Dr. Molly Burrets, a clinical psychologist and fertility expert, to discuss reproductive grief and the emotional challenges of infertility. We explore the concept of reproductive grief, its impact on individuals and relationships, and strategies for coping with fertility struggles. Dr. Burrets shares her personal journey with secondary infertility, IVF, and the complexities of navigating pregnancy after loss. We discuss the importance of setting boundaries, finding joy amidst grief, and how to support loved ones experiencing fertility challenges. This conversation offers insights for anyone touched by infertility or reproductive loss, and provides a compassionate perspective on an often misunderstood and deeply personal journey.Key Takeaway / Points:A few timely updates on life and my thoughts after hosting ThanksgivingDefining reproductive grief and its impactDr. Burrets' personal journey with secondary infertility and IVFThe emotional toll of canceled IVF cycles and pregnancy lossStrategies for coping with fertility struggles and finding joyHow to support friends experiencing infertility or lossThe importance of setting boundaries during fertility treatmentsNavigating pregnancy after loss and managing anxietyThe complexities of grief even after successful pregnancyFinding ways to fill your cup and prioritize self-care during fertility strugglesWatch this episode on YouTube HEREFollow Dr. Molly Burrets: Instagram: @drmollyburretsWebsite: https://www.drmollyburrets.com/Follow me:Instagram: @cameronoaksrogers and @conversations_with_camSubstack: Fill Your CupWebsite: cameronoaksrogers.comTikTok: @cameronoaksrogers and @conversations_with_camYoutube: Cameron Rogers

It's here! Many Moons 2026 has arrived and is ready to guide your year of magic, manifestation, and healing. Claim your copy HERE and step into the light of the new year!----Calling all small business owners, healers, creatives, and educators!If you want to connect with an audience that truly understands and values your work, consider sponsoring an episode of Moonbeaming — we're a podcast with more than 2 million lifetime downloads and a deeply engaged, aligned community. For more information reach out to Hailey at moonbeamingpodcast@gmail.com --- What if the way you choose to close the year is the most powerful magic you can bring into 2026?In this episode, Sarah deepens the reflections from last week and brings us into a look at what this year has asked of us. Drawing from the Hermit Year workshop channelings and her own lived experience of 2025, Sarah explores what it means to arrive at the end of a 9 year… the limits we hit, the identities we shed, the values that shifted, the intuition that recalibrated, and the quiet, everyday practices that actually carry us across a threshold.You'll hear:Why exhaustion, grief, and “bone tiredness” were built into the architecture of 2025How limits act as teachersWhat it means when old patterns flare up right before they dissolveHow intuition is changing collectively and personallyThe power of returning to the deeper Self you've drifted fromThe “Secret Third Thing” as an alternative to all-or-nothing thinkingWhy discernment, devotion, and simplification are essential as we close out the yearHow to prepare internally for the Magician energy of 2026 without forcing decisions or rushing clarity 

How can one tree be said to bless, protect, seduce… and curse?In this episode, I'm joined by herbalist and writer Ruthie Kølle for a deep dive into one of my all-time favorite plants: hawthorn (Crataegus spp.). Together, we explore hawthorn's rich folklore, its potent heart-centered gifts, and the magic woven into its thorns, blossoms, and berries. Drawing from her Celtic heritage, Ruthie shares how hawthorn is not just a medicine, but a living bridge to old-world traditions and ancestral ways of healing.Ruthie brought us her recipe for Anam Cara Heart Opening Cordial, a delightful blend of hawthorn and other rose-family plants. I love how this recipe can be so easily adapted to reflect the region you live in! You can download a beautifully illustrated recipe card here. By the end of this episode, you'll know:► Three different body systems that benefit from hawthorn's gifts► What makes hawthorn so nourishing and protective, both for the ecosystem and for the human body► Why most people could benefit from working with hawthorn on a daily basis► Five different ways to include hawthorn in food► Why hawthorn is called the "trysting tree" in Irish lore—and what that has to do with the putrid smell of its flowers► and so much more…For those of you who don't know her, Ruthie Kølle lives in a cabin situated on the northern hem of her family's 9th generation farm, which occupies unceded Lenape land. She is deeply rooted to her place there and has apprenticed herself to reconnecting to her own Celtic ancestral ways, weaving them into the stories of the land where she is currently planted. It's her passion to reconnect with and integrate these traditional and ritual methods of healing into our modern lives.Ruthie has been studying folk and clinical herbalism since 2012, has been practicing intuitive bodywork since 2005, and creating ceramic art for 30 years.This conversation is so full of wonder, story, and heartfelt herbal wisdom. If you've ever felt drawn to hawthorn—or are curious why so many people fall in love with this tree—you won't want to miss this episode!----Get full show notes, transcript, and more information at: herbswithrosaleepodcast.comWould you prefer watching this episode? If so, click here for the video.You can find Ruthie at MotherHylde.com.For more behind-the-scenes of this podcast, follow @rosaleedelaforet on Instagram!Working successfully with herbs requires three essential skills. Get introduced to them by taking my free herbal jumpstart course when you sign up for my newsletter.If you enjoy the Herbs with Rosalee podcast, we could use your support! Please consider leaving a 5-star rating and review and sharing the show with someone who needs to hear it!On the podcast, we explore the many ways plants heal, as food, as medicine, and through nature connection. Each week, I focus on a single seasonal plant and share trusted herbal knowledge so that you can get the best results when using herbs for your health.Learn more about Herbs with Rosalee at herbswithrosalee.com.----Rosalee is an herbalist and author of...

They told you to be grateful. But the goddess grieves FIRST. In this episode, I break down why gratitude practices fail when you're in grief, and give you my 3-phase Goddess Protocol for turning loss into manifestation fuel.

Welcome back to Mirror Talk: Soulful Conversations. In this episode, Tobi sits with transformational catalyst and visionary leader Devon Kerns, known widely as the King of Curiosity, Chaos and Stillness. With a remarkable journey shaped by entrepreneurship, ancient wisdom, plant medicine, emotional intelligence and personal loss, Devon carries a presence that both awakens and disarms.Together they explore:• How Devon's Zen rooted quote became the guiding philosophy of his life• The grief of losing his father and how heartbreak became initiation• Curiosity, chaos and stillness as a powerful creation model for leaders• Why AI may be humanity's greatest evolutionary ally• How to build businesses that heal people, land and money• The spiritual role psychedelics have played in his leadership journey• Presence as the new productivity and the art of simply being• Conscious parenting in a world where technology, soul and legacy meet• The soul aligned questions Devon asks himself every day• A message for anyone standing at the edge of transformationChapters00:00 Introduction to Transformation and Curiosity02:41 The Importance of Relationships and Love05:16 Overcoming Excuses and Embracing Action07:59 The Value of the Journey10:28 Changing Society's Perspective on Life13:33 Embracing Humanity and Spirituality16:06 The Impact of Grief and Loss21:19 Finding Value in Existence24:59 Chaos, Stillness, and Curiosity in Life31:24 The Journey of Manifestation32:22 Embracing Chaos and Finding Stillness33:45 Curiosity as a Tool for Creation35:42 Creating from Chaos: A Practical Approach36:08 Rootedness and Connection to Mother Earth40:45 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Leadership47:16 Raising Emotionally Intelligent Children58:32 Finding Presence in ChaosThis is a conversation that invites you to slow down, breathe and see your life with new eyes. If you have been craving a deeper path, a more conscious way of leading or a more grounded experience of being human, Devon's wisdom will speak directly to your soul.Connect with Devon:Website: www.devonkkerns.comWatch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/RUOv3jiKPcs Your transformation begins the moment you decide to look within.Let this book walk with you.

In this first half of a two-part conversation, I sit down with Jenny Leavitt — pastor's wife, author of GodPrints, and bereaved mom — to hear the story of her son, Jacob, and the unmistakable “GodPrints” woven throughout her family's journey.Jenny begins by describing her earlier battle with stage four non-Hodgkin's lymphoma while raising two very young boys, and how God used that season to prepare her heart in ways she wouldn't fully understand until years later. She then introduces us to Jacob — a friendly, artistic, big-hearted high school senior — and recounts the tragic accident caused by a drunk driver that took Jacob's life and left his older brother, Caleb, critically injured.Throughout the episode, Jenny speaks honestly about the physical, emotional, and spiritual shock of those early days, the challenge of grieving one child while caring for another, and the surprising places where God's fingerprints began to appear. She shares about a profound “GodPrint” uncovered just days after Jacob's death — a handwritten piece Jacob created months earlier that offered their family deep assurance of his salvation and his walk with the Lord.Jenny also offers compassionate, practical wisdom for newly bereaved parents: the importance of connection, the value of grace for yourself and others, and the reminder that you don't have to walk this path alone.Links Mentioned:GodPrints: Finding Evidence of God in the Shattered Pieces of Life by Jenny LeavittJenny's websiteResilient Hope resourcesBe sure to join us next week for Part Two, where Jenny reflects on how her grief has evolved over the last ten years, how she and her husband navigate grieving differently, and the GodPrints they continue to see in their story.I would love to hear your thoughts on the show. Click here to send me a message! (Though I read every message, I am unable to respond through this format.) ** IMPORTANT** - All views expressed by guests on this podcast are theirs alone, and may not represent the Statement of Faith and Statement of Beliefs of the While We're Waiting ministry. We'd love for you to connect with us here at While We're Waiting! Click HERE to visit our website and learn about our free While We're Waiting Weekends for bereaved parentsClick HERE to learn more about our network of While We're Waiting support groups all across the country. Click HERE to subscribe to our YouTube channelClick HERE to follow our public Facebook pageClick HERE to follow us on Instagram Click HERE to follow us on Twitter Click HERE to make a tax-deductible donation to the While We're Waiting ministryContact Jill by email at: jill@whilewerewaiting.org

Loss shows up in every part of life. We lose games, we lose jobs, and sometimes we lose the people we love most. This week on Grieving Out Loud, Marcia Earhart shares a story shaped by more heartbreak than most people could imagine. Before she reached adulthood, she had already faced 17 major losses.She believes those early experiences may have prepared her, at least in some small way, for the unthinkable: losing two of her children. One died in a tragic car crash, and the other was taken by a violent murder.How does someone keep moving forward after so much pain? In this episode, Marcia talks about her journey, the lessons grief has taught her about love and resilience, and the grace she has learned to find in the hardest moments. She also shares more about her new book, Gripping Grace in the Garden of Grief.You can learn more about her book and purchase it here: https://www.thesterlingrosesanctuary.us/gripping-grace-in-the-garden-of-griefSend us a textBehind every number is a story of a life cut short, a family shattered, and a community devastated.They were...daughterssonsmothersfathersfriendswiveshusbandscousinsboyfriendsgirlfriends.They were More Than Just A Number. Support the showConnect with Angela Follow Grieving Out Loud Follow Emily's Hope Read Angela's Blog Subscribe to Grieving Out Loud/Emily's Hope Updates Suggest a Guest For more episodes and information, just go to our website, emilyshope.charityWishing you faith, hope and courage!Podcast producers:Casey Wonnenberg King & Kayli Fitz

In today's powerful episode of Grief 2 Growth, Brian sits down with Samina Bari — author of Don't Call Me Widow and host of the Afterlife podcast — for a raw and insightful look at spousal loss, solo parenting, grief brain, and the quiet ways we can show up for those who are hurting most.Samina lost her husband suddenly in 2023. What followed was a journey through shock, trauma, identity loss, and rebuilding life as a solo parent of twins. Her honesty brings comfort, clarity, and guidance to anyone walking beside someone who's grieving — or navigating grief themselves.

A daily December series offering tender, truthful support for surviving the holidays after suicide loss — with grief, grace, and gentle company.Get THE Leftover Pieces APP & don't miss anything!

Grief doesn't end — it changes. In this episode, Heather sits down with her husband, Brian, to talk about what life looks like fifteen years after losing their son, Jake. Instead of a structured interview, they let a jar of questions guide the conversation — questions written to spark honesty, memory, and the kind of storytelling that only happens when two people have lived the same loss.They talk about the night everything changed, the routines and rituals that still keep Jake woven into their everyday lives, and how grief has shaped their marriage, their parenting, and the family they've built around Ethan. From laughter to anger to the moments that knock the air out of them even now, this episode is both tender and brutally real — a rare look at what long‑term grief actually feels like inside a family.Resources & Ways to Connect APOY Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aplaceofyespodcast Heather's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heathersstraughter Jake's Help from Heaven Website: http://jakeshelpfromheaven.org/ Jake's Help from Heaven Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jakeshelp Jake's Help from Heaven Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jakeshelpfromheaven Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@aplaceofyespodcast

Sponsored by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Inflow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Try the free ADHD traits quiz. Learn evidence-based techniques to navigate daily challenges associated with ADHD at ⁠wisesquirrels.com/inflow⁠. Join Dave and fellow Wise Squirrels in The Nest. Take a look inside. https://wisesquirrels.com/nest

The Page One Podcast, produced and hosted by author Holly Lynn Payne, celebrates the craft that goes into writing the first sentence, first paragraph and first page of your favorite books. The first page is often the most rewritten page of any book because it has to work so hard to do so much—hook the reader. We interview master storytellers on the struggles and stories behind the first page of their books.About the guest author:Arik Hously has served the Napa Valley community for more than 30 years, operating grocery stores, a winery and an Italian restaurant. An ardent soccer fan and former coach, Housley owns the men's and women's Napa Valley 1839 FC soccer teams. He and his family founded Alaina's Voice Foundation, in honor of their late daughter, to support education, music and mental health initiatives in Napa Valley. As a national speaker, Housley inspires others to “be the positive change” and cultivate compassion and strength in the face of adversity. You can find him at arikhousley.com, IG @arikjih8 and Substack @arikhousley.       About the host:Holly Lynn Payne is an award-winning novelist and writing coach, and the former CEO and founder of Booxby, a startup that built an AI book discovery platform with a grant from the National Science Foundation. She is an internationally published author of four historical fiction novels. Her debut, The Virgin's Knot, was a Barnes & Noble Discover Great New Writers book. Her latest book, Rose Girl: A Story of Resilience and Rumi, a medieval, mystical thriller was awarded a Kirkus (starred) review and named Editors Choice from the Historical Novel Society. Holly lives on a houseboat near the Golden Gate Bridge with her daughter and Labrador retriever, and enjoys mountain biking, hiking, swimming and pretending to surf. To learn more about her books and writing coaching services, please visit her at hollylynnpayne.com  and subscribe to her FREE weekly mini-masterclass, Power of Page One, a FREE newsletter on Substack, offering insights on becoming a better storyteller and tips on hooking readers from page one! (And bonus: discover some great new books!)Tune in and reach out:If you're an aspiring writer or a book lover, this episode of Page One offers a treasure trove of inspiration and practical advice. I offer these conversations as a testament to the magic that happens when master storytellers share their secrets and experiences. We hope you are inspired to tune into the full episode for more insights. Keep writing, keep reading, and remember—the world needs your stories. If I can help you tell your own story, or help improve your first page, please reach out @hollylynnpayne or visithollylynnpayne.com. You can listen to Page One on Apple podcasts, Spotify, Pandora, Stitcher and all your favorite podcast players. Hear past episodes. If you're interested in getting writing tips and the latest podcast episode updates with the world's beloved master storytellers, please sign up for my very short monthly newsletter at hollylynnpayne.com and follow me @hollylynnpayne on Instagram, Twitter, Goodreads, and Facebook. Your email address is always private and you can always unsubscribe anytime. The Page One Podcast is created on a houseboat in Sausalito, California, is a labor of love in service to writers and book lovers. My intention is to inspire, educate and celebrate. Thank you for being a part of my creative community! Be well and keep reading,Holly@hollylynnpayne on IG Thank you for listening to the Page One Podcast! I hope you enjoyed this episode as much as I loved hosting, producing, and editing it. If you liked it too, here are three ways to share the love:Please share it on social and tag @hollylynnpayne.Leave a review on your favorite podcast players. Tell your friends. Please keep in touch by signing up to receive my Substack newsletter with the latest episodes each month. Delivered to your inbox with a smile. You can contact me at @hollylynnpayne on IG or send me a message on my website, hollylynnpayne.com.For the love of books and writers,Holly Lynn Payne@hollylynnpaynehost, author, writing coachwww.hollylynnpayne.com

Anger and clarity leads to boundary formation that fosters healing.

A children's story can do more than entertain—it can heal. When Preston Knowles lost his beloved uncle during the early days of the pandemic, grief became the spark for Ollie and Beep, a tender tale about love, loss, and the enduring power of connection. At just seventeen, Preston turned pain into purpose, creating a story that helps children and the adults who love them understand that life keeps moving forward, just like a river. In this heartfelt conversation, host Irene Weinberg explores how Preston's creative journey brought comfort to countless families and how storytelling can transform grief into something beautifully whole.IN THIS EPISODE, YOU'LL HEAR ABOUT THINGS LIKE:How grief can spark creativity and provide an outlet for processing emotions.The profound impact of lacking traditional closure during the grieving process.The philosophy that life is like a river, and the importance of learning to flow with change and loss.The scarcity of resources for children navigating grief and the need for tools for parents and educators.The way loss reshapes one's entire perspective on life and relationships.The idea that the beloved characters Ollie the bear and Beep the penguin represent a special real-life relationship.The importance of healing grief and living a positive life that a deceased loved one would want for you.The tip for finding joy and "magic" by embracing uncomfortableness and new experiences.WATCH ON YOUTUBE: How Preston Knowles Transformed Grief Into a Children's Story of Connection: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8P0Iv93MTU&list=PL7judgDzhkAWmfyB5r5WgFD6ahombBvohLet Ollie and Beep remind you — and the little ones you love — that every goodbye holds a bit of grace, and every moment together is a gift.

 If you know love and loss, you know how music can transport us to a moment that time stole from us. And if you know grief, you know how simultaneously beautiful and painful that can be. Today, Nora talks to Will Anderson, who released his debut solo album How Little Love Is/How Worth Everything chronicling his grief after the sudden loss of his wife, Courtney Kampa. They talk about grief, love, Courtney's posthumous collection of poems, A Bright and Borrowed Light, and all about Will's new album, which has been added to the “Grieving People Essentials” list. Watch us on YouTube here! Listen to Will's album on Spotify and Apple! Get Courtney Kampa's poetry collection A Bright and Borrowed Light here! Get this episode ad-free here! Listen to Geoffrey's album on Spotify and Apple! Shop my favorite bras and underwear at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SKIMS.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠indeed.com/TFA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for all of your hiring needs! Head to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠cozyearth.com ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠and use my code NORA for up to 20% off! Find your fall staples at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Quince.com/TFA⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠! Get your creatine at ⁠⁠⁠livemomentous.com⁠⁠ All-in-one nutrition for daily performace at ⁠⁠DrinkAg1.com/THANKS Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ad Free at www.patreon.com/dopeypodcastBilly Strings sits down for one of the rawest, heaviest, and most honest conversations ever recorded on Dopey. In this replay, Billy talks openly about growing up in chaos, losing his dad to heroin at age two, his mom's crack and meth addiction, violence in the home, poverty, hunger, couch-surfing, and the wild, psychedelic, musical household that shaped him. He walks through the exact moments his childhood shifted from love and music into danger, raids, labs, dealers, and watching addiction take over everyone around him.Billy tells stories about tweaking with his parents, smoking meth for the first time with his mom, first acid trips, playing guitar for 48 hours straight, metal bands, coke, crack dreams, and the insane scenes he lived through as a kid and teen.He talks about leaving home at 13, being homeless, trying coke and meth after swearing he'd never do hard drugs, the traumatic first time he did heroin, panic attacks, confronting childhood sexual abuse in therapy, and getting sober from alcohol nine years ago.Billy also goes deep on losing his mom in 2024, learning she died from meth intoxication, how he found out through the death certificate while on tour in Australia, the confusion, denial, anger, heartbreak, poems she left behind, and the letter from his biological father he discovered after her death — the first time he ever saw his father say he loved him.He shares what Trey told him about Al-Anon, how he's been listening to meetings, how his understanding of addiction has completely changed, and his desire to help kids growing up in houses like his.This is Billy Strings telling his story exactly as he lived it — no hiding, no sugarcoating, and no shame. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.