Podcasts about grief journey

Today's guest, Catherine, says that in many ways, she grieved for her daughter, Helen, not once but twice. The grieving began after she suffered complications during delivery, which led to seizures that began shortly after birth and multiple medical complications. Catherine grieved for the life she had hoped and dreamed of for Helen. Then, fourteen years later, Catherine's grief started fresh when Helen died unexpectedly in her sleep. Although Catherine says that she grieved Helen twice, Helen's 14 years were not years full of sadness and grief. They were joy-filled years. Catherine loved being Helen's hands and feet. She loved seeing her eyes light up and give big smiles. Catherine was a part of Helen, and Helen was a part of her. One day, when Helen was young, the two of them were watching TV, and Catherine saw the inspirational story of Team Hoyt, a father-son duo who competed in over 1,100 races, including numerous Ironman Triathlons. Son Rick suffered from cerebral palsy, but said that when racing in a specialized wheelchair with his dad, Dick, he felt freedom and joy. After Helen died, Catherine felt lost. She did not know what to do with herself without Helen being beside her. When asking her priest for advice, he answered that he didn't know what she should do, but that for many, participation in sport could be a good healing modality. That's when Catherine began to think once again about the inspirational story of the Hoyts. She knew that she couldn't physically swim, run, and bike with Helen, but perhaps she could still be with her emotionally. That's exactly what Catherine did. Her first triathlon was done almost secretively, with only her husband's knowledge. As she waited in the water of the lake at the beginning of the race, wondering if she had made a mistake in signing up, until the sun began to rise, and she felt Helen with her.  Over the years, Catherine has continued to train and now races in an Ironman triathlon each year, following in the Hoyts' footsteps. She compares the training to her life, first as a mom of a special needs child and now as a bereaved mom. She chronicles her journey in her book, Finding My Stride: A Guide to Finding Power Raising a Child with Special Needs.

What happens when we stand at the threshold of transformation, no longer who we once were but not yet who we're becoming? Dr. BethAnne Kapansky Wright guides us through this sacred liminal space, sharing powerful passages from her book "Transformations of the Sun" that illuminate the courage required to embrace change.Key talking points include: • Reading from the poem "In Between" about no longer being the person you used to be while not yet becoming who you're stepping into• Personal story of leaving Alaska for Kauai and the emotional challenge of following soul guidance others couldn't understand• Exploration of "the wild unknown" - that spiritual wilderness where we must learn to trust our internal compass• Discussion of how initial certainty in decision-making often gives way to doubt when transformation becomes uncomfortable• Reflections on how our souls rejoice in the struggle even when our human minds resist change• Importance of having small anchors during change while still surrendering to the deeper processThe true gift of this episode lies in Dr. BethAnn's gentle reminder that transformation necessarily involves discomfort. When we follow a soul calling, we often experience initial certainty that later gives way to doubt and questioning. Yet it's precisely in this grappling that we discover unexpected strengths and access deeper wisdom. As she beautifully expresses through her poem "Submergence," we must allow ourselves to unravel before we can "knit ourselves back into new shapes and hue." The invitation is clear: can we trust our internal compass when external validation fails? Can we surrender to the "river beneath the river" and allow our soul's alchemy to unfold at its own perfect pace? Join Dr. BethAnn in this intimate exploration of what it truly means to trust the process of becoming who we're meant to be.--Your Heart Magic is a space where heart wisdom, spirituality, and psychology meet. Enjoy episodes centered on mental health, spirituality, personal growth, healing, and well-being. Featured as one of the best Heart Energy and Akashic Records Podcasts in 2024 by PlayerFM and Globally Ranked in the top 5% in Listen Notes.Dr. BethAnne Kapansky Wright is a Licensed Psychologist, Spiritual Educator, and Akashic Records Reader. She is the author of Small Pearls Big Wisdom, the Award-Winning Lamentations of the Sea, its sequels, and several books of poetry. A psychologist with a mystic mind, she weaves perspectives from both worlds to offer holistic wisdom.FIND DR. BETHANNE ONLINE:BOOKS- www.bethannekw.com/books FACEBOOK - www.facebook.com/drbethannekw INSTAGRAM - www.instagram.com/dr.bethannekw WEBSITE - www.bethannekw.com CONTACT FORM - www.bethannekw.com/contact

Belief expansion. As they navigate life, all adults develop a core set of beliefs. When tragedy strikes, sometimes these core beliefs can be shaken. Some grieving people lose their sense of spirituality, while others gain a deeper, stronger faith after experiencing trauma. Dave was trained as a therapist, but nothing in his training prepared him for his 18-year-old daughter, Jeannine's cancer diagnosis and death. He grew up in the Christian church with some Christian traditions, but Dave's core values and beliefs were grounded in science. Dave realized in the months and years after Jeannine's death, he needed more. Science alone did not bring him the comfort or peace he needed.  Dave says by pure serendipity, an interfaith minister named Patty entered his life. (I like to think this was by divine intervention, but I digress.) Dave had a spiritual experience with Patty that changed his life forever. Over the next ten years, Dave began exploring more and more ideas of spirituality with Patty and others. Dave said that he began to realize he did not have to abandon his core beliefs and values to adopt additional beliefs that aligned with and complemented his perspective. Dave now asks himself, "What can I add here that is going to help me get through this part of my life?" He truly feels that if he had continued in the old set of beliefs that he had when Jeannine died, he would not be where he is today. Dave said,  "My journey demanded that I needed to embrace different perspectives about how I saw myself, how I saw the world, and how I saw my values if I was going to reengage in life again while still honoring my grief." Dave wrote a book about his experiences and conversations with Patty called, 'When the Psychology Professor Met the Minister," available on Amazon. He also now hosts a podcast, The Teaching Journeys (listen for me on an upcoming episode). On the podcast, Dave continues his own journey of belief expansion by learning from the stories of others who have experienced challenges in life. Dave says, "We are all students and teachers...let's learn from each other." I cannot think of a more amazing way to learn.

Near the end of today's interview, my guest, Miranda, said one of the most beautiful sentences that I have ever heard from a bereaved mom, especially one who is only 9 months into her grief journey. Miranda said, "Denver's death is going to be my reason, not my excuse - my reason to get up, my reason to do, my reason to survive, and my reason to love." Denver was a happy, healthy toddler who had just celebrated his first birthday when he died from accidental suffocation while he slept. His birthday theme just weeks before had been 'One Happy Dude,' so Miranda and her family used the decorations for his funeral. His funeral was full of yellow smiley faces and lots of bright colors. The family handed out smiley face pins at the funeral.  Every summer, their hometown of Medicine Hat, Alberta, has a hot air balloon festival. This year, Miranda had the idea that one of the pilots might be able to take a picture of Denver up in a brightly colored hot air balloon during he festival. By the time the festival began, all thirty hot air balloons contained pictures of Denver. Many of the balloonists are international and continue to bring the picture of Denver with them as they fly all over the world. This month, Denver's picture is flying with a hot air balloon over Italy.  I have shared many times about bringing Andy's teddy bear with us as we travel to help us have a symbol of Andy with us. Continuing to live and make happy memories without him is challenging. Living without Denver's smile and laugh each day is extremely difficult, yet Miranda continues to get up and try. She, too, often travels with a little teddy bear she can hug when the pain of missing Denver feels too great.  Miranda's goal is to try to keep on living in the best way that she can - her reason to live and not her excuse. Each day still contains tears for Denver, but the tears no longer flow all day. She tries to look for smiley faces around her as she thinks of Denver's little picture flying in hot air balloons. Every time I see a hot air balloon, I will wonder if a little bit of Denver might be up there in its basket.  

In this episode, Kristen explores how grief often underlies anxiety, trauma, and panic attacks with Debbie Jenkins Frankel, LMFT, a grief-informed psychotherapist. They share insights and tools for working through unfinished business and moving toward healing. PrivatePracticeGrief.com When you purchase Debi Franle's recommended books through these Amazon affiliate links, you're helping support the podcast at no extra cost to you:   1. Hour of the Heart: Connecting in the Here and Now:  https://amzn.to/453Epyx   2. The Gift of Therapy: An Open Letter to a New Generation of Therapists and Their Patients:https://amzn.to/4mlaR5P   3. Superhero Grief (Series in Death, Dying, and Bereavement): https://amzn.to/3IZhMmd   Subscribe and get a free 5-day journal at www.kristendboice.com to begin closing the chapter on what doesn't serve you and open the door to the real you. This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to you to educate you about ideas on stress management and as a self-help tool for your own use. It is not psychotherapy/counseling in any form. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment.  For my full Disclaimer please go to www.kristendboice.com. For counseling services near Indianapolis, IN, visit www.pathwaystohealingcounseling.com. Pathways to Healing Counseling's vision is to provide warm, caring, compassionate and life-changing counseling services and educational programs to individuals, couples and families in order to create learning, healing and growth.

When today's guests, Andy and Kristen, lost their almost 2-year-old daughter due to complications after a seizure 2 years ago, their lives completely changed. There was life before Juniper died, and there was life after Juniper died. Before Juniper died, they had two young girls in daycare. Days after Juniper died, their older daughter, Macie, started public school, and Juniper was gone. There was no longer a need for a daycare. They were suddenly navigating a world where they were bereaved parents. It was as if they were suddenly living in an alternative universe. Years before Juniper's death, Andy had watched his aunt and uncle mourn their son after he died in a car accident. Andy now realized that he didn't have a clue about what they had gone through - the pain that they felt each day. Andy and Kristen found themselves looking to other bereaved parents for support. They joined their local Compassionate Friends chapter and became regular listeners of the podcast. I sometimes have doubts about continuing to produce the podcast each week. It is certainly a labor of love, but it does require a lot of work, and sometimes, when listener numbers falter or donations stop for several weeks at a time, I wonder if the time for the podcast has passed. Then, I hear beautiful words like I heard today, and I realize that even though most of my guests have never spoken to each other, we have created a community of grievers. Before ending my conversation with Andy and Kristen today, Andy shared, "For all of the other parents who have been on the podcast and are now listening, we have cried for your children. We have mourned for your children because we know how it feels. We have heard them." Kristen says that early on in their grief journey, they knew that someday, they would want to share Juniper's story on the podcast. Today, almost two years later, is that day. Now, Andy and Kristen can know that all around the world, other bereaved parents are truly hearing them. They are crying for Juniper and mourning her as well. And for me, that is all that truly matters.

On this all-new E! News, Dua Lipa gives rare insight into her relationship with fiancé Callum Turner! Plus, Michelle Williams welcomes "miracle" baby number four! And, Aubrey Plaza opens up about the tragic death of her husband.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

I have often said that different people grieve differently. Today's guest, Lori, adds a new twist to that statement. She lost two of her four sons almost 30 years apart from each other, and she is grieving so much differently now than she did the first time around, showing that the same person can grieve similar losses differently as well. The stories of Michael and Logan's deaths are far different. Michael died at age 2 of an aggressive type of cancer called neuroblastoma. He died after 9 months of treatment in his mother's arms at the hospital, which she says gave her time to say goodbye, but also forced her to watch him endure pain and suffering. Twenty-five-year-old Logan, on the other hand, died suddenly from an accidental drug overdose in his apartment. Logan was there one day and gone the next. Lori says that after losing Michael, she became an extremely compassionate person. She and her husband turned to each other for support. Loris describes him as her rock. She was very involved in church, turning to her faith to help ease the intense pain of loss. Over the years, Lori says that her biggest fear was that she might lose another one of her three remaining boys, but despite Logan's long history of mental health struggles, she did not ever think this would happen to them again. Then, 18 months ago, the unimaginable occurred - Logan died, too. After Michael died, compassion emerged. This time, however, fear and anger are the dominant emotions. She has trouble going out in public. Lori hasn't gone to church, and her faith feels broken. Her relationship with her husband has been damaged, and she has moved in with her two living sons, who are now her two rocks. Online support groups and podcasts have become her coping strategies.  These vastly different responses may seem surprising. I know they were unexpected to Lori, but there is a lesson here.  Grace. We need to give others and ourselves grace. We cannot control our feelings or our responses to grief. We need to feel our emotions, whatever they may be, and work through them. Through hard work, hope for the future may come again, for Lori and for us.

This season is proudly brought to you by⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Nu Harvest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. You can shop their full range ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use the code 'BELLSMESSINA' to save 15%.This week on Up Past Bedtime, I'm joined by my friend and business manager, Mel Synott, for an honest and deeply personal conversation about grief and the way it reshapes who we are. In 2023, Mel lost her dad suddenly to cancer, an experience that shook her entire world and set her on a path of radical change. From leaving her high-profile job to rethinking what truly matters, Mel opens up about the messy, nonlinear journey of loss. We talk about how grief changes your relationships, your priorities, and even the way you see yourself, and why sometimes the greatest growth comes from the most heartbreaking seasons.Up Past Bedtime with Bella Messina is your go-to for late-night, unfiltered chats—the kind of conversations you'd have with your closest girlfriends. From relationships to motherhood, no topic is off-limits as Bella, a 20-something mum of two, invites you into candid conversations with inspiring women and shares her own raw stories. This podcast is where you'll feel seen, heard, and completely understood. So get comfortable, because the best conversations happen when you're up past bedtimeMel's Socials:Tik Tok: ⁠⁠@melissasynottInstagram: ⁠⁠@melissasynottUPB Socials:Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uppastbedtimepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@uppastbedtimepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Watch on Youtube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Or Email Us: upbpod@messinaco.comBella's Socials: Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bellsmessina⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tik Tok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@bellsmessina

Livestreams with Gwen are back! This week's livestream topic was to be about the fact that we are living in two worlds - longing to live in the past while dealing with our messy lives in the present. I talk about my struggles of missing Andy while trying to be the happy mother-of-the-groom at Valeriano's recent wedding. This conversation quickly morphed into another topic. Respite. First, is it OK to take a break from your grief? And second - where do I find respite when I need a break from my grief? My answers - First - YES! And Second - walks outside in the sunshine, riding in our boat, listening to birds while on my deck, listening to music, reading a good book, and playing board games with family or friends. The most important point is this. It is OK (and actually GOOD) to take a break from your grief. Many grieving parents feel like they need to feel their grief all the time. Every book they read is about grief. Every podcast they listen to is about grief. Days are filled with therapy and support groups. While all of these things are great, breaks are needed. Our bodies and minds cannot handle the constant pain of grief. I remember in those early days feeling like I needed to feel the pain constantly. If I started to laugh or even smile, I would remind myself that Andy was dead, and the smile would disappear. As the seven-year anniversary approaches next week, I feel the heaviness begin to worsen again, but I have learned that the best way to get through these difficult days is to take some time away from the pain as well. I will have intentional times with my family to talk about and remember Andy. There is an upcoming 5K race where 25 of my co-workers will be wearing Be Still bracelets as they run to support our local FitKids program. But there will also be time for me to have respite. I will spend time reading a book and listening to birds outside on my deck. I will play golf and go boating. Hopefully, I will be able to convince my family to play a board game with me. Finding this balance is what gives me the strength to continue on each day.

The Pettis County Health Center has just officially become a milk depot – which means they are now a drop off site for those wishing to donate human breast milk to help medically fragile and premature infants.

Episode Summary: Welcome to Healing Starts With the Heart, where grief gets real and healing gets honest. In this episode, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker pulls back the curtain on the 9 biggest lies we've been told about grief—and how they've shaped generations of silent suffering. From pretending you're okay to being told “just stay busy,” this episode is a deep and raw dive into the ways our society teaches us to perform instead of process our pain. If you've ever felt like you're grieving “wrong,” this is your invitation to unlearn the myths and finally make space for the truth: you are not broken—just unheard.

Since becoming a bereaved parent, several phrases have irritated me. One of the most bothersome things people say to me is, 'You are so strong. I could never do what you do.' I feel like that suggests they don't think they need to help me—that I can handle everything on my own without assistance. When I first heard about today's guest, Cristi, and the 'Mentally STRONG' method she developed, I wasn't sure if I would like it. However, because Cristi lost not just one, but three children, I thought I should give it a try. After our conversation, all my doubts melted away. When Cristi talks about being mentally strong, she doesn't mean being a resilient hero doing everything alone. Instead, Cristi teaches people to face their grief and sorrow directly, in community with therapists and other grieving individuals. As a psychiatric nurse practitioner, Cristi believed in cognitive behavioral therapy and the power of positive thinking. But after losing her adoptive son Johnny to drowning and seeing her son Reggie—and later daughter, Miah, and husband, Bundy—suffer from DRPLA, a terrible degenerative disease, Cristi realized that simply thinking positively was not very helpful for those grieving. We can't just 'look on the bright side' and think positive thoughts after losing our children. That isn't realistic or natural. Cristi understands this too well. She writes, "Grief can feel overwhelming, like a weight that never lifts. It consumes your thoughts, leaves you feeling lost, and makes it hard to get through the day. It's an unpredictable journey that pulls at your heart. But in these moments of deep sorrow, there is space to feel, process, and find a path toward healing." The Mentally STRONG method isn't a quick fix for deep grief, but it can help you face and work through your grief. It can help you find purpose in life again. If Cristi can find purpose and experience joy after losing Johnny, Reggie, Miah, and Bundy, so can we. For more information and access to her book and documentary, visit mentallystrong.com.

In this episode, Kristen is joined by Dr. Sabrina N'Diaye, an integrative therapist, storyteller, and peacebuilder, for a powerful conversation about grief, healing, and the meaning of life. They explore how love and loss shape us and why embracing both is essential to truly living the dash.   theheartnest.com   When you purchase these books through these Amazon affiliate links, you're helping support the podcast at no extra cost to you:   Dr. Sabrina N'Diaye's Book: 1. Big Mama Speaks: Love Lessons from a Harlem River Swan: https://amzn.to/4517yKx Book Recommendation: 1. The Four Agreements: A Practical Guide to Personal Freedom (A Toltec Wisdom Book): https://amzn.to/4eYU7OH   Subscribe and get a free 5-day journal at www.kristendboice.com to begin closing the chapter on what doesn't serve you and open the door to the real you. This information is being provided to you for educational and informational purposes only. It is being provided to you to educate you about ideas on stress management and as a self-help tool for your own use. It is not psychotherapy/counseling in any form. This information is to be used at your own risk based on your own judgment.  For my full Disclaimer please go to www.kristendboice.com. For counseling services near Indianapolis, IN, visit www.pathwaystohealingcounseling.com. Pathways to Healing Counseling's vision is to provide warm, caring, compassionate and life-changing counseling services and educational programs to individuals, couples and families in order to create learning, healing and growth.

Episode Summary: In this powerful and raw episode of Healing Starts With the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker asks a deeply uncomfortable—but necessary—question: What if the pain isn't the problem… but the key to your healing? Sharon breaks down why so many of us are still stuck in our grief—not because we're doing it wrong, but because no one ever taught us how to feel the pain instead of managing it. From performative grief to inherited patterns, she shares how unprocessed pain keeps us in a holding pattern of burnout, resentment, and silence. You'll learn how to stop performing, start feeling, and allow grief to finally move through you—instead of staying trapped inside your body.

Today's guest, Jody, worked as an actor on Broadway for a year, but nothing had ever prepared her for the role she was required to play after the birth of her firstborn daughter, Lueza. After a completely unremarkable pregnancy, Jody suffered severe complications during childbirth, resulting in significant brain injuries for Baby Lueza. After suffering from horrible seizures as a young infant, they were able to stabilize little Lueza. Once they did so, she began to show a smile that would light up a room. Still, Lueza had significant delays. She could not sit, eat, or talk independently. At one point in time, Jody remembers looking at her husband and saying, "Will Lueza ever be able to sit up on her own?" Her husband's answer stuck with her: "She may be lying down, but she may be very happy." Over the years, Lueza proved her Dad right. She continued to be 'lying down,' but she was always very happy. She loved music, movies, and roller coasters. She would laugh and squeal and could let her family know what she did and didn't like with the slightest head movements. And her smile continued to light up the room.  Lueza had a profound effect on many people around her as she interacted with doctors and nurses in the medical community and her teachers at school. Over time, Lueza slowly developed more complications and died suddenly at home one night after getting what her family thought was only a little cold.  Then, Jody's life changed once again. She was no longer the mother of a medically complex child. She was now a bereaved mother. There were no more hospital visits. The medical equipment was no longer needed in the family home. Jody began doing arts and crafts as a form of healing. She attended spiritual support groups for bereaved parents. Most importantly, Jody began to write. Jody wrote a memoir about her life with Lueza that was years in the making. The title of the memoir was so fitting - 'She May Be Lying Down, but She May Be Very Happy.' This memoir was a story of her life with Lueza and a heartfelt thank you to all the people who had helped her over the years. A beautiful tribute for a beautiful girl.

When today's guest, Andy, lost his 18-year-old son, Heston, to suicide, he had a lot of time to reflect on life and finding one's purpose. Early in Andy's grief journey, he saw a visual that truly resonated with him. The image was of a framed picture that was completely black. The blackness represented the grief that, early on in one's grief journey, was all-encompassing. The darkness of the grief covered every part of the bereaved person's life. Then, there was a second image of a black rectangle the same size as the first. However, the picture frame was now several times larger, so that the black portion now took up only 5% of the frame.  The explanation is simple. The deep grief does not go away. The hole in our hearts remains. What we can work to change is the rest of our lives. We can grow and expand so that our lives are bigger than the grief. There are portions with love, joy, and happiness. They do not eliminate the grief, and the grief remains a part of the picture, but it is not the entire picture. The idea is not to get stuck in our grief, but to bring it along with us as we continue to experience life.  This past weekend, my (foster) son, Valeriano, got married. It was a beautiful wedding. There were lots of smiles and happiness surrounding the couple, but there were tears, too, as we had our first big family event without our Andy. Valeriano bought a special green pen to use to sign his marriage certificate to honor Andy. I put his picture and teddy bear on the seat where he should have been sitting. The new family picture included Andy's picture and teddy bear. We did not ignore our grief and forget about Andy on Saturday. We brought him along to be a part of the celebration. This is just what Heston's Dad, Andy, encourages as well. He brings Heston with him, feeling his presence. He has even released a powerful book, 'Overcoming Life's Toughest Setbacks: 15 Breakthrough Core Beliefs to Transform Challenges into Opportunities!' The book is available through his website, askandycampbell.com. If it's half as good as my conversation with him today, I know it will inspire many of us on our grief journey.

Today's guest, Jackie, says that her guiding purpose is based on a quote that she has written down and keeps close by. David Viscott wrote, "The purpose of life is to discover your gift. The work of life is to develop it. And the meaning of life is to give your gift away." Jackie says that is exactly how her son, Stu, lived his life and how she works to live her own.   Initially, after her amazingly talented, loving son, Stu, died by suicide, she lost herself. Stu had been living his dream life in New York City. He had his own apartment and worked at a job he loved as a barber, cutting hair. Then, mental illness invaded his life and took him away. Jackie was left feeling alone. Hope? What is that? Healing? That's impossible. She tried going to grief support groups but felt overwhelmed. Then, Jackie found an organization called Eric's House. Their vision is that 'no person who is bereaved by suicide or substance use will suffer these devastating losses alone.' Jackie said the organization saved her.  Ever so slowly, hope crept back into her life. Jackie didn't force healing to come, but it did, a little bit at a time. She joined one of their online support groups and then another. They gave her the tools that she needed to start rebuilding her life. She began writing an article for the organization's newsletter and started facilitating support groups for them as well. Over time, Jackie found a purpose for her grief.  Now Jackie compares herself to the old apple trees in her backyard. They appear to be 150 years old. They have branches dying each year and huge holes in them, but they persist. Each year, the trees blossom and look beautiful. They produce apples that feed the deer in the area. Whatever life throws at them, they keep going.  That is a great visual for our lives now. We may have huge holes inside and limbs that are missing, but we just keep going. As ugly as our lives may look from the outside, they can still produce beauty and help provide for others along our life's journey. We may not be who we once were, but we can still be amazing.

Maeve was a little girl who was born to be a big sister. As soon as she was able to toddle around the house, Maeve was bringing the family dog her favorite books to read and making sure he had everything that he 'needed'. Shortly after Maeve's second birthday, her little brother was born, and Maeve was truly in her element. She adored Declan and wanted to share everything with him. Baby Declan loved being a part of the 'Maeve show' as her mama, Tarah, described it. Declan would grin as his big sister laughed and danced around him. Life was good. Then, one day, that perfect life was destroyed. The little family was on a flight to DC. The flight had been delayed, so by the time the plane landed, Maeve had fallen asleep on her dada's lap. Tarah's husband tried to rouse her, and could not. Maeve was no longer breathing. He let out a scream, and both parents immediately started CPR. Their perfectly healthy 3-year-old daughter had died for no apparent reason while sleeping on her father's lap. Her official cause of death was Sudden Unexplained Death of Childhood (SUDC). Their world was shattered. Tarah first wrote to me less than two months after Maeve's death. She shared her story and asked to be connected to another mom whose daughter died of SUDC. Over the almost two years since that first email, Tarah has continued to email with family updates, show ideas, and eventually, about Maeve's Foundation, the charity that Tarah and her husband started in Maeve's memory.  Initially, Tarah just wanted to collect enough money to buy a bench as a dedication to Maeve. Then, that idea grew into sponsoring a memorial garden in Maeve's memory. As more people contributed to the foundation, Tarah knew they needed to grow.  The organization now has a new mission - Maeve's Wish. Maeve's Wish is working to provide 'a truly magical respite for children battling a chronic or terminal illness - a trip to Walt Disney World.'  Just as Maeve wanted to make her family dog and baby brother happy, she will help make precious family memories for others. We're pretty sure she will be laughing and dancing as she watches from heaven.

Storytelling. It's my very favorite thing about doing the podcast each week. When I meet each guest, I am privileged to help people share their child's story with people around the world. I have come to learn over the past 300-plus episodes that this storytelling helps lead to healing for both the guests sharing their stories and the listeners who tune in each week. Emily learned about the power of storytelling years ago while writing her book, Birth Story Brave. As a perinatal mental health specialist, she recognized the importance for women to be able to work through their own birth story experiences to help them heal when things don't go as planned. Hundreds of miles away, Malhaley, a fellow perinatal mental health specialist, used the book with her patients as well, finding its 'storytelling as healing' theme to be extremely helpful.  Then, the unimaginable happened. Not only did Mahaley have her own birth trauma experience, but her daughter, Saachi, needed to be admitted to the NICU and died a few days later. Mahaley's world was rocked. She did not know if she would ever be able to work in perinatal mental health again, but as she did consider going back, she thought about Emily and her book. Mahaley knew that she needed to work through her own story to begin to heal. As helpful as Emily's first book was to Mahaley, she quickly realized that families whose birth story leads to their babies being admitted to the NICU needed something more. The birth story was important, certainly, but for these families, it was only the beginning. They need a guide to help them after the birth, when their babies start and sometimes end their lives in the NICU.  Mahaley interviewed Emily, and an idea was born. The two of them began to write another book, 'Your NICU Story: Reflecting on Your Family's Experience', which will be released in September. In it, they utilize the power of storytelling to help families navigate their own NICU experiences, whether they ultimately bring their babies home or not.

Michelle Rix joins Nick Gaylord for a deeply personal conversation about grief, love, and the long road back from devastating loss. In 2018, Michelle's daughter Paizlee was stillborn at 38 weeks — a tragedy that was followed by the death of her father, a man she adored. These back-to-back losses sent her into a spiral of grief, trauma, and addiction, leaving her to rebuild not only her emotional world but her entire sense of identity.With striking honesty, Michelle shares what it felt like to grieve a child she never got to raise, and the guilt that haunted her in the years after. She talks about the breakdown of her marriage, her complicated relationship with religion, and the terrifying moment she realized she could no longer live in survival mode. Through therapy, writing, and the unwavering support of her family, Michelle found a way to begin again — slowly, painfully, but with purpose.This episode is about grief that doesn't let up — and the courage it takes to keep going anyway. Michelle's story will resonate with anyone who has faced unbearable loss, and it's a testament to what becomes possible when we allow ourselves to feel, to fall apart, and ultimately, to heal.GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

There is one question that this week's guest, Nicole (nicolebgebhardt.com), asks each client when she first starts seeing them as a life coach.   What are three things you love about yourself?  How did you answer this question? Was it difficult? Did you even come up with three things? I have to admit something. I had a hard time. As a mom, I can think of three things I love about my kids. As a wife, I can easily name three things I love above my husband, but when asked to look inward like this, I falter.  Nicole says that 85% of her clients have the same struggle. They can't name even one thing, let alone three. There was a time when Nicole had these same feelings. After suffering through two miscarriages and the death of her 9-week-old son, Samuel, from SIDS, she didn't feel like she deserved to be happy. Nicole turned to alcohol, and when her husband began abusing her, she felt as if she 'deserved' the abuse.  Even after having three healthy children, leaving her first husband, and meeting her 'Prince Charming', she still didn't love herself. Five and a half years ago, she decided to take her own life. After surviving that suicide attempt, her outlook on life changed. She chose to become clean and sober and focus on loving herself first. This certainly was not easy, but when talking to Nicole today, I can say that she, quite simply, radiates joy. Despite her past, Nicole does not let these experiences define her. Nicole realizes that she is not a victim. She is a survivor, and that is amazing. She is resilient, she is strong, and she is awesome.  Think about your own life for a minute. Think of all that you have gone through. Likely, if you are reading this, your child died. Perhaps you have suffered through abuse and addiction or tried to help a loved one through their struggles. Maybe you have lost other loved ones or your job, marriage, or home. Despite all of these things and more, you get up every day. You are strong and resilient. We all are.  Can I name three things I love about myself? Yes, I can. And so can you.

Episode 300. It's hard to wrap my head around a number that big. Hundreds of beautiful stories. Thousands of listeners. Later this summer, we will reach another milestone: the 7th anniversary of Andy's death—14 years of having Andy here on Earth and 7 years of Andy in heaven. Another concept that is so difficult to comprehend. In today's episode, Gwen plays host and interviews Eric and me as we discuss the podcast and its growth over the past six years. The addition of our videographer, Jen, has been an incredible blessing as she has created beautiful video clips to share on Instagram and Facebook (@alwaysandysmom). These videos have helped us all see the featured children in real life, so to speak. Over the next few days, you will be able to see Andy featured for the first time! We also talked about our recent family trip. Vacations can be difficult after losing a child. Part of us may feel like we don't want to make new, wonderful memories without our loved one. Certainly, there were moments of sadness and tears as we traveled, thinking of Andy and knowing how much he would have loved it. We made a point of taking Andy's teddy bear, Herky, along on the trip and capturing pictures with him every single day. Herky had his special pouch in the backpack and made appearances at St. Peter's Square, the canals of Venice, and the Acropolis. Our 'Herky pictures' certainly did not replace having Andy with us, but they gave us all a moment to think about him and feel like a tiny bit of him was there. As we start our next 100 episodes, I look forward to seeing what new changes lie ahead. The first addition will be the opportunity to share your child on the podcast in a unique way. While some people want to share their child on an episode, others may never feel ready for such a step. I was inspired by Michael's Madre, who offered to sponsor the full cost of her episode, which is $125. Now, I invite others to do the same. If you feel called to sponsor all (or part of) an episode in your child's name, visit the Donate Page on andysmom.com, and their name will be announced in the introduction. Thank you all so much for the love and support you have shown me. The podcast has blessed me in more ways than I could have ever realized. I cannot imagine what my life would be like today without it.

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we share a note from Kate LaSala about the lessons that she's learned this past year while grieving the loss of her beloved Boo Boo. Kate is a multi-credentialed canine behavior consultant who specializes in fear, aggression and separation anxiety, helping people and their dogs worldwide with one-on-one remote sessions. She is also a companion animal death doula who helps people navigate stigmatized losses like behavioral euthanasia and rehoming. On her blog, she has been chronicling her own grief journey after losing her soul dog BooBoo.Kate's Grief Resources post: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2022/03/28/griefresources/At Home Euthanasia and Vet Directory: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/09/16/at-home-euthanasia/Grief Journey at one year: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2025/04/07/my-grief-journey-one-year/Advance Care Directive (free download): https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/05/06/advance-care-directive/Behavioral Euthanasia: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2023/07/31/discussing-behavioral-euthanasia/Kate's Doula Services page: https://rescuedbytraining.com/death-doula/Reach Ken at kenddv@gmail.com, Nancy at nancysaxtonlopez@gmail.com.A new way to support our work: To read our email correspondence with listeners and view photos of their beloved animal companions subscribe at https://petlosscompanionconversations.substack.com(A $5/month subscription fee applies.)To support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)To support this podcast with a monthly subscription: https://anchor.fm/kenneth-dolan-del-vecchio/supportWe are happy to announce our affiliation with Bereave, a company that offers beautifully crafted granite pet memorial plaques. When you purchase one of their plaques using the link that follows you are also supporting our podcast. https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2399618&u=3798931&m=141340&urllink=&afftrack=⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Pet Loss Companion (book) on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Loss-Companion-Healing-Therapists/dp/1484918266/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=pet+loss+companion&qid=1612535894&sr=8-3mpa...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@thepetlosscompanion6602 (and hit the "subscribe" button)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To RSVP for the next cost-free zoom pet loss support group facilitated by Ken⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.dakinhumane.org/petlossThis program is a friend of Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Mass. Dakin is a 501 (c) (3) community-supported animal welfare organization that provides shelter, medical care, spay/neuter services, and behavioral rehabilitation for more than 20,000 animals and people each year. Since its inception in 1969, Dakin has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in central Massachusetts and a national leader in animal welfare. You can learn more about Dakin and make a donation at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dakinhumane.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.For a list of financial resources to help with payment for veterinary care visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠community tab on our YouTube channel

Life has a way of leading us down paths we never expected—sometimes through joy, but often through deep loss. An unexpected event can open doors to purpose, not only helping others but also shaping our own journey in ways we never imagined. This was the case for Michelle Swanson, who, after losing her husband to colorectal cancer, found herself committed to raising awareness and ensuring that no one has to face a diagnosis alone. Today, we're diving into the lessons and discoveries that come through grief, exploring how we can gain perspective, find purpose, and better prepare for the unexpected moments that inevitably shape our lives. You can reach Michelle at mlswanson22@gmail.com or on LinkedIn. Make sure you're getting all our podcast updates and articles! Get them here: https://goalsforyourlife.com/newsletter Resources with tools and guidance for mid-career individuals, professionals & those at the halftime of life seeking growth and fulfillment: http://HalftimeSuccess.com #grief #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthadvocate #childgrief #complicatedgrief CHAPTERS: 00:00 - Introduction 01:59 - Michelle Swanson, Grief Journey 05:37 - Emotional Challenges of Grief 09:13 - Coping with Stepfather's Death 12:56 - Ripple Effects of Loss 18:20 - Professional Grief Experience 22:10 - Frustration as a Teacher 23:42 - Financial Preparation for Loss 27:48 - Importance of Life Insurance 31:10 - Updating Your Trust 33:15 - Honoring Loved Ones 37:53 - Advice for Navigating Loss 42:14 - Supporting Someone in Grief 43:31 - Contacting Michelle 48:30 - Podcast Sponsorship Quick recap Michelle shared her personal experience of losing her husband to cancer and her commitment to raising awareness and ensuring no one faces a diagnosis alone. She discussed the challenges of dealing with grief and loss, the importance of self-care and support, and the need for emotional preparedness for life's uncertainties. Michelle emphasized the importance of building a new foundation and version of oneself after a significant loss, and encouraged people to reach out to her for support. Next steps • Listeners to review their life insurance policies and ensure adequate coverage. • Couples to have open discussions about finances, wills, and end-of-life wishes. • Individuals going through grief to seek help and support from friends, family, or professionals. • Listeners to ensure both partners' names are on important bills and accounts. • Individuals to create living wills and discuss future plans with loved ones. • People supporting grieving friends to be patient and understanding if they withdraw temporarily. • Listeners to practice articulating their feelings and fears to trusted individuals.

"I'm good." This was a common response that Mary Beth's son, Michael, used when he didn't want to do something or go somewhere. "Michael, do you want to come with me?" "I'm good." It almost became a bit of a family joke. After Michael died 18 months ago at 21 years of age, his brother, a talented artist, wrote a cartoon depicting Michael in heaven. In the cartoon, his brother was longing to have Michael back with them, here on earth, with their family, so he called heaven. When Jesus answered the phone, he was asked if he could send Michael back home. Jesus responded, "Let me go ask him." Michael's response was typical Michael - "I'm good." The problem, of course, is that although Mary Beth is sure that Michael is 'good', Mary Beth is not. She and their entire family miss Michael terribly. Michael is the second of five sons in an incredibly close family. Although Michael had a long history of anxiety struggles, his family thought he was great. He seemed happy and was completing his college education with a degree in biology. He was a brilliant and talented young man with a bright future ahead of him.  Unbeknownst to his family, however, Michael was suffering inside. Mary Beth was shocked when she found him dead in the room where he had been living at his grandparents' house, and more shocked when they learned that he had taken his own life. After searching his computer, they found an unsent email where he described having homicidal and suicidal thoughts. He was suffering a mental breakdown and shared that he feared that he might kill other people. In that moment, he seemed to feel like the way to protect others was to die himself. Mary Beth did not know how she could go on living after losing Michael, but day by day, she is doing just that. Each day is a challenge, but Mary Beth continues to get up, go to work, and parent their four living boys. Does she expect to cry daily? Of course she does. Can she honestly answer, 'I'm good' when she is asked? Definitely not. But, until that day comes, Mary Beth clings to the knowledge that Michael is most certainly ‘good' up in heaven.

 Learn how mindfulness and community help us navigate the experience of grief Grief can be a very lonely time for many people. We may feel like we do not want people around or just do not have the energy to talk. On the other hand, many people do not know how to manage being around a person who is grieving. This week we talk about the things you can do, alone, to find your healing path through grief. https://bit.ly/3ZFyX1uIn this Episode:01:27 - Road Trip: Pennsylvania and Shoofly Pie02:29 - The Modern Loss Handbook04:08 - Mindfulness in the Midst of Grief11:12 - Discussion: The Value of Friends "Just Sitting With Us"13:27 - Freud: Mourning is a Natural Transformation Process after Loss15:15 - OutroRelated Content:S3E38: Navigating Grief and Healing from Loss – with Dr. Ken DokaS4E28: Healing the Broken Pieces – Applying the Art of Kintsugi to GriefS3E20: Riding the Wave: Navigating the Second Year of GriefS2E6: The “Stages” of GriefS1E12: Traumatic GriefS1E11: Grief#grief #griefjourney #mindfulness #supportgroups #grounding #loss #stagesofgrief #healingSupport the showGet show notes and resources at our website: every1dies.org. Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | mail@every1dies.org

I have long loved Faith's Lodge and, since the early days of the podcast, hoped that someday, I might be able to talk with someone from that wonderful organization. Now, that wish became a reality. Today's guest, Kelly, is not a bereaved mom herself, but she was at the side of her sister when she lost her 12-year-old son, Carter, almost 15 years ago. As I listened to Kelly, I was struck by how instinctively she did so much 'right' after Carter died. Logistically, she handled so much for her sister in those first days and weeks, but perhaps even more importantly, she kept Carter a part of their everyday lives in the months and years that followed. When holidays came, Kelly made sure that Carter was remembered. Kelly continued to ask for parenting advice from her older sister, asking, "When this happened to Carter, what did you do?" Shortly after Carter died, Kelly's sister's family attended a retreat at Faith's Lodge. Her sister shared that for the first time, she felt like she could fully be herself and not have to wear a mask and try to hide. Then, 13 years ago, while golfing at a charity golf event, Kelly was asked if she might consider leaving her job and becoming the executive director of a non-profit organization. She had no interest in leaving her job, but politely asked the name of the organization - Faith's Lodge. The tears came, and then, long hours of considering a career change. With her sister's blessing, Kelly started the job that has since become her passion. Under Kelly's guidance, the organization expanded to be even more than an amazing year-round retreat center. They developed a program for employers called 'Hope Works Here' to give businesses tools to help bereaved parents return to work successfully. This month, more big changes came to Faith's Lodge as they undergo a rebranding in order to more clearly define their mission and purpose. Their new name is the Child Loss Foundation. They still offer their incredible retreats at Faith's Lodge (although they hope to spread to additional locations). They still offer resources for employers, now called Child Loss at Work. Additionally, the organization merged with another Minnesota non-profit formerly called The BeliEve Foundation, in order to expand their mission of offering immediate financial support for newly bereaved families. I have long known that Faith's Lodge was a magical place, but now, I can't wait to see how many more lives they will be able to touch as they grow and expand.

Join family therapists and authors Ken Dolan-Del Vecchio and Nancy Saxton-Lopez as we speak with special guest Kate LaSala about the feelings that accompany fostering and, in particular, when your foster leaves for their new home. We'll also be talking about the hard-won lessons and wisdom that grief teaches us. Kate is a multi-credentialed canine behavior consultant who specializes in fear, aggression and separation anxiety, helping people and their dogs worldwide with one-on-one remote sessions. She is also a companion animal death doula who helps people navigate stigmatized losses like behavioral euthanasia and rehoming. On her blog, she has been chronicling her own grief journey after losing her soul dog BooBoo.Kate's Grief Resources: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2022/03/28/griefresources/At Home Euthanasia and Vet Directory: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/09/16/at-home-euthanasia/Grief Journey at one year: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2025/04/07/my-grief-journey-one-year/Advance Care Directive (free download): https://rescuedbytraining.com/2024/05/06/advance-care-directive/Behavioral Euthanasia: https://rescuedbytraining.com/2023/07/31/discussing-behavioral-euthanasia/Kate's Doula Services page: https://rescuedbytraining.com/death-doula/Reach Ken at kenddv@gmail.com, Nancy at nancysaxtonlopez@gmail.com.A new way to support our work: To read our email correspondence with listeners and see photos of their beloved animal companions subscribe at https://petlosscompanionconversations.substack.com (a $5/month subscription fee applies).You may also support our work on this podcast with a one-time gift: Venmo @Ken-Dolan-DelVecchio or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/kenddv?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US)We are happy to announce our affiliation with Bereave, a company that offers beautifully crafted granite pet memorial plaques. When you purchase one of their plaques using the link that follows you are also supporting our podcast. https://shareasale.com/r.cfm?b=2399618&u=3798931&m=141340&urllink=&afftrack=To support this podcast with a monthly subscription: https://anchor.fm/kenneth-dolan-del-vecchio/support⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Pet Loss Companion (book) on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.amazon.com/Pet-Loss-Companion-Healing-Therapists/dp/1484918266/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=pet+loss+companion&qid=1612535894&sr=8-3mpa...⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To subscribe on YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@thepetlosscompanion6602 (and hit the "subscribe" button)⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠To RSVP for the next cost-free zoom pet loss support group facilitated by Ken ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.dakinhumane.org/petlossThis program is a friend of Dakin Humane Society in Springfield, Mass. Dakin is a 501 (c) (3) community-supported animal welfare organization that provides shelter, medical care, spay/neuter services, and behavioral rehabilitation for more than 20,000 animals and people each year. Since its inception in 1969, Dakin has become one of the most recognized nonprofit organizations in central Massachusetts and a national leader in animal welfare. You can learn more about Dakin and make a donation at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠dakinhumane.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.For a list of financial resources to help with payment for veterinary care visit the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠community tab on our YouTube channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠: https://www.youtube.com/@thepetlosscompanion6602/community and note the addition of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://get.scratchpay.com/veterinary

Are you living under the constant pressure of feeling like you should be doing MORE? Or feeling like you should BE more? That you're always letting people down. Or letting GOD down. If guilt and overwhelm have become a big part of your life, I'm glad you found this episode! As my guest today writes in his new book, You Were Never Meant to Do It All: A 40-Day Devotional on the Goodness of Being Human, “God has not designed us to do everything, be everywhere, or know everything. We can value our work, our bodies, and our relationships without thinking we must have endless energy, always be strong, or have unending emotional reserves. God simply didn't create us in this way.” I'm excited to introduce you today to Dr. Kelly Kapic. Eric and I met Kelly and his wife, Tabitha, through mutual friends while our daughter was attending Covenant College in Lookout Mountain, Georgia, where Dr. Kapic is a professor of theological studies. Kelly is also a speaker and an award-winning author. His books have greatly impacted our family, so for this episode, I asked my husband Eric to join me in this helpful conversation about accepting and finding freedom in our limitations as humans. There is much to be gained by leaning into God's good design for us. To realize that we CAN'T “do it all”, not because something is wrong with us, but because we are created to be dependent on God and on others. Only God Himself is without limits and fully in control. As we more deeply settle into this way of thinking and living, we can experience greater growth, a deeper sense of community, and more peace, rest, and JOY! You can learn more about Dr. Kapic's work and writing here: https://www.covenant.edu/academics/bible/faculty/kapic.html Also, don't forget that as a Fighting for Joy listener you can receive 10% off of your first month of counseling services from BetterHelp, my podcast sponsor. Check out my link at betterhelp.com/fightingforjoy. Counseling can be such a huge help in this broken world and a major tool in the fight for joy.

Scott Tavlin is a motivational speaker, mindset coach, radio host, and emcee with a powerful message and a story rooted in real loss. His energy is contagious, his presence commanding — but behind the microphone is a son who lost his mother far too soon. Scott's mother battled significant health challenges for years, including a critical ICU hospitalization in 2018 that nearly took her life. Miraculously, she recovered — and the version of her that emerged became one of Scott's greatest inspirations. When she eventually passed, it wasn't without warning — but it still left a hole that changed everything.In this episode, Scott opens up about the complexity of watching a parent fight for their life, the guilt and confusion that came with not knowing how bad things were early on, and the intense desire to honor her by living fully. He shares how he turned to running, coaching, and speaking as emotional outlets — and how the lessons his mom lived by have become the fuel behind his dreams. From marathon training to morning radio, Scott walks us through the way grief shaped every step of his path.This conversation is about identity, legacy, and the power of intentional living. It's about the memory of a mother who poured everything into her family — and a son determined to carry her light forward. If you've ever found yourself growing through grief, this one will stay with you.FOLLOW SCOTT!Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scotttavlin/Listen to Scotty in the Mornings!Magic 94.9: https://www.mymagic949.com/GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

Grief holds a strange power over time. It expands, contracts, and weaves itself into celebrations meant for joy – particularly on days like Mother's Day. For those of us navigating motherhood after losing our own mothers, the day arrives with a complex emotional landscape that few openly discuss.To anyone walking this complex path of mothering through grief, please know you're doing something sacred. You're living proof that love continues, even through the tears. Your grief is welcome here. Consider this your permission slip to honor both realities – to miss your mom deeply while loving yourself fiercely. Share this episode with someone who might need to hear they aren't alone in navigating this tender territory.

From the first pages of reading the memoir written by today's guest, Sally McQuillen, I was quite honestly hooked. 'Reaching for Beautiful: A Memoir of Loving and Losing a Wild Child' is an absolutely beautiful story that Sally wrote after losing her 21-year-old son, Christopher, in a boating accident shortly after Christmas. Sally shares that as she raised Christopher, she often found herself worrying about him. Christopher is described as a 'wild child' who suffered from addiction and loved to take risks. He lived every part of his life in a big way. Parenting Christopher was truly a roller coaster ride for Sally and her husband.  After losing Christopher, Sally's life was forever changed. She says that one of the greatest lessons that she learned both from raising and losing Christopher was to learn to let go of fear and instead cling to love. Sally had to "make losing Christopher a permission slip to be compassionate" with herself. Over the next months and years, Sally was challenged to let go of the fear, guilt, and regret in order to forgive herself and move forward with life. This was certainly not a quick process. Sally says it took her seven years to feel a sense of normalcy in her life after Christopher died. After Jen, my Instagram and Facebook videographer, watched the video of today's interview, she wrote to me that she felt so comforted when she heard Sally say that it took that long to feel 'normal' again. This is the biggest takeaway from this episode. There is no timeline for grief. Everyone's journey is their own. Some people appear to move faster and some slower, but it is not right or wrong. We need to take that lesson from Sally and give ourselves 'permission slips' when we think about our grief.  This brings me back to Sally's beautiful memoir. I found myself feeling so much love as I read this story, whether it was reading about Christopher's struggles in life or about Sally's grief after he died. The book is described as 'a luminous story of how love triumphs over pain, love transcends fear, and love never dies.' I couldn't agree more. Thank you, Sally.

Send us a textIn this moving episode of Clairvoyaging, we sit down with Jamie Lee Silver, a passionate EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) tapping expert whose life was forever changed after the tragic loss of her son, Ben, to suicide. Rather than being consumed by grief, Jamie found a lifeline in tapping—a simple yet powerful practice that blends acupressure with emotional acknowledgment. Through this technique, she not only processed her own pain but also discovered a way to remain spiritually connected with her son while helping others heal from trauma, anxiety, and grief.Jamie shares how EFT taps into the body's energy system, offering a direct route to emotional release and nervous system regulation. Backed by science and accessible to people of all ages—including children—her method allows emotions to move through the body rather than become stuck. With stories that are both heart-wrenching and hopeful, Jamie's presence is like a burst of healing energy, reminding us that emotional freedom is possible, even after unimaginable loss.To learn more or to work with Jamie: Visit: tapforhappiness.com Clairvoyaging is now a fiscally sponsored project of Fractured Atlas, a 501(c)(3) charity, so any donations are now tax deductible. If you'd like to support our projects that aim to foster understanding for diverse spiritual belief systems, visit www.clairvoyaging.com/support. Support the show-- DONATE to the Clairvoyaging Documentary (it's tax-deductible!)-- SUBSCRIBE in your preferred podcast app! -- Follow @clairvoyagingpodcast on Instagram.-- Send us an email: clairvoyagingpodcast@gmail.com-- Become a Clairvoyager on Patreon and get access to exclusive extras!

#podcast #loss #trauma #awareness Rosa opens up about the tragic loss of her father, who was murdered by the cartel. She shares her story in hope to bring awareness to the brutal realities of cartel killings and give strength to others going through similar pain. Rosa's Links:https://www.redribbon.orgTopics: Family Loss, Cartel Violence, Grief Journey, Family Dynamics, DeportationIf you have a unique story you'd like to share on the podcast, please fill out this form: https://forms.gle/ZiHgdoK4PLRAddiB9or send an email to wereallinsanepodcast@gmail.comThe stories shared on this podcast are based on real-life experiences told from the personal perspectives of the guests. Some episodes may contain descriptions of trauma, abuse, or other sensitive subject matter that may be triggering to some listeners. Listener discretion is strongly advised. The views and opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the podcast host or production team. While every effort is made to present stories truthfully, the podcast cannot verify all claims made by guests. Any accusations or depictions of individuals are based on personal recollections and are not intended to defame, harm, or misrepresent any person, living or deceased. This podcast is intended for informational and storytelling purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional mental health support or legal advice. If you or someone you know is struggling, we encourage you to seek help from a qualified professional.

EVEN MORE about this episode!What if you were born to heal a family's heartbreak? In this powerful episode, art therapist and grief expert Sarah Vollmann explores the emotional world of “replacement” children—those born after the loss of a sibling. With sensitivity and depth, Sarah shares how growing up in a grieving family shapes identity, expectations, and emotional development in ways that often go unspoken.Host Julie Ryan opens up about her own family's story following the loss of her sister Joan. Together, they discuss the silent impact of loss on siblings, especially preverbal children, and how families carry forward the memory of those who are gone.We also dive into the healing power of art therapy, and how creative expression helps children and families process grief, stay connected to lost loved ones, and reclaim their stories. From rainbow babies to intuitive sibling bonds, this episode offers profound insights and hope for anyone navigating loss, identity, or the legacy of love that lingers after death.Guest Biography:Sarah Vollmann is a board-certified art therapist and licensed clinical social worker specializing in grief and traumatic loss. She serves as Associate Director of the Young Widowhood Project and teaches at the Portland Institute for Loss and Transition. Sarah maintains a private practice, leads counseling at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School, and co-authored Born Into Loss: Shadows of a Deceased Sibling and Family Journeys of Grief. Currently pursuing her doctorate at Tulane University, she presents nationally and internationally on grief, art therapy, and bereavement.Episode Chapters:(0:00:01) - Understanding Replacement Children(0:13:57) - Understanding the Impact of Family Loss(0:23:59) - Replacement and Gift Children(0:27:52) - Unseen Bonds With Deceased Siblings(0:32:49) - Family Dynamics After Child Loss(0:38:43) - The Concept of Rainbow Babies(0:42:56) - Healing Through Art TherapySubscribe to Ask Julie Ryan YouTubeSubscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Español YouTubeSubscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Português YouTubeSubscribe to Ask Julie Ryan Deutsch YouTube✏️Ask Julie a Question!

Today's guest, Michelle, gave me some words of wisdom from her therapist that I will remember forever. Recently, Michelle had an appointment with her counselor and was talking about how her crying was 'not pretty'. The therapist agreed, saying, "No. Crying is not pretty, but when you are crying tears over the loss of your daughter, the tears are beautiful." This makes me think so much about grief in general. I have often described myself over the years as a 'hot mess'. April and August are my 'hot mess' months, April because of Andy's birthday on the 21st, and August due to the anniversary of his death. Additionally, this past month was extra difficult due to having the second Andy Larson Memorial Concert. For Michelle, April is an extremely challenging month as well. Her daughter Scarlett's birthday is on April 22nd, and she died after a long cancer journey two days before her 16th birthday on April 20th, 2022. As we spoke, nearly two weeks before these big days in our lives, we were both a 'hot mess', but I wonder now if that truly is the ugly mess that I always envisioned. I remember a few months after Andy died when I first heard the term 'lament' used with my grief. I learned that what I called the 'bad' cry or the 'ugly' cry when I completely lost control and would fall into a weeping heap on the floor, was actually when I was experiencing lament. Learning the term 'lament' helped me feel so much better about showing my emotions in that way. Lament is healthy. Lament is spiritual. Lament has a purpose and helps in our healing. I feel like this conversation with Michelle gave me a similar epiphany. Yes - Michelle and I fully admit that we are each a 'hot mess' in April, but I see now that our 'hot mess' is not necessarily ugly. We are crying beautiful tears for Scarlett and Andy. We have puffy faces, runny noses, and red eyes. Those tears may not make us look pretty on the outside, but our 'hot mess' is truly beautiful as we are freely showing lament while mourning our amazing children.

Today's guest, Teresa Davis, currently goes by another name - The Grief Mentor. She hosts a podcast that is released twice a week. On the podcast, Teresa works to 'shine a light into the shadows, helping you discover that joy and pain can coexist, and that you can still have a purpose here on earth.' In addition to the podcast, Teresa offers a free grief survival guide, a free grief masterclass, a grief worship playlist, weekly newsletter, monthly support groups, and even one-on-one Grief Mentor sessions. As amazing as all of these things are, however, the thing that I admire most about Teresa is her sharing of the story that got her to this place of hope and healing in her grief journey. Though Teresa had a strong faith and was leading Bible studies, that faith was rocked to its core the day her oldest son, Andrew, a 32-year-old commercial pilot, was killed in a plane crash. She says that the world lost its color that day. She felt betrayed by God. God could have protected Andrew that day, but he didn't. She had devoted her life to God, but she felt He had failed her. Over the following months, Teresa found herself at a crossroads. She could either continue living in the darkness or she could choose to rebuild her life. Interestingly, a visit to the plane crash site months after the accident became a pivotal moment in her life. The smell of jet fuel was still in the air as she searched for where the cockpit had crashed into the ground. Suddenly, she heard God's voice in her head repeating Scripture - 'Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here.' Instead of feeling like the place of death and destruction, the crash site began to feel like a holy spot, the place where Andrew began his new life in heaven.  Over the next months and years, Teresa's faith continued to grow and evolve. It took on a strength it had never had before. Teresa began to pray, 'Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.' He has answered this prayer again and again. Now, by working as the Grief Mentor, Teresa takes other grieving parents by the hand, showing them how to feel joy in the midst of chaos.

Weddings. Graduations. Births. Empty Nesting. Divorce. No one would ever say that going through a big transition like this is easy. When reviewing my curriculum for my Starlight Virtual Support group this week, I learned that when people go through any rite of passage during life, their bodies require 20-25 minutes of rest three times a day, or they can get sick. Let's take a second and really think about that - we should rest 20-25 minutes three times a day when facing big life changes. I'm trying to look back to whether I have ever truly put aside time like that when going through big life transitions. I don't think I have. I am quite sure I am not alone in this. We are encouraged to power through and keep going until we fall into bed exhausted at night's end. Now, let's go a step further. When we are grieving and going through additional big transitions in life, is it surprising that we are completely exhausted? This conversation with Gwen serves as a wake-up call to me, and hopefully, it will do the same for all of you. I am certain that over the past almost 300 episodes of this podcast, I have said countless times how important it is to give yourself grace while you are grieving. Today, I am going to tell you to give yourself double grace when you are going through changes in life. Are you going through a graduation or planning for children to move off to college? Get help from others. You are more tired than your friends. They likely aren't thinking about the child whose graduation party they will never get to have, or living with the fear that when this child moves off to college, they might never see them again. Give yourself grace. Are you planning a wedding or expecting a new baby in the family? This is awesome and wonderful, but it is still exhausting, and the grief will likely bubble up when you least expect it, while looking at the empty chair in the church or in the eyes of that newborn. Give yourself grace. Are you going through the challenge of divorce? It may bring relief for a new beginning, but you may feel grief as you remember family times together. Give yourself grace.

When Britt's 4-year-old son, Persy, died from cancer 18 months ago, Britt says that she was shocked. Now, you may question why Britt says she was shocked. Persy suffered from cancer for almost two years before dying. He underwent treatment after treatment, both in their home state of Florida and in New York. Persy was sent home on hospice to spend the last three weeks of his life. How is it that Britt says she was shocked? The answer lies in the difference between the words shock and surprise. Was Britt surprised that Persy died? No - she was not. She knew he was dying. Although she continued to pray for a miracle, she knew that his chances of recovery were minimal, so she was not surprised when Persy took his last breath. However, Britt was still shocked. No parent can truly imagine what life will be like after their child dies. We won't ever hear their voice again, be able to see their smile light up a room, or hold them close in a loving hug. We are therefore in shock when we have to experience these things, no matter whether the death was expected or not. As the shock slowly wears off, we now realize that we must continue living, even though it feels impossible. We may cry every day. We miss them every day, but time continues to move. Britt immediately turned to other bereaved parents to ask for help. Britt says that she and her husband have held on to two truths since losing Persy. First, their faith will bring them back to Persy. Persy lives on in heaven, and someday, they will be able to join him. The second truth is that every day, they are a little closer to the day they will be reunited with Persy. Do these truths make it easy to live here on earth without Persy? Of course not. Britt cries for Persy each day. She misses that he is not a part of her life now. She wishes her younger boys had an older brother to teach them to run, jump, and play - an older brother who might have occasionally gotten them all into trouble. Despite this longing for Persy and the life they might have had, she will continue to remind herself of the truth that one day they will all be reunited in faith.

Episode Summary: In this powerful and deeply personal episode of Healing Starts with a Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker explores the raw truth behind her book Grieve That Sht*. Through honest storytelling and lived experience, Sharon unpacks “the grief sh*t”—the real, often unspoken pain that comes with loss—and what it actually feels like in the body, mind, and soul. This episode is a lifeline for anyone navigating the devastating aftermath of grief and looking for real talk, not clichés. Key Points Discussed: The origin and meaning behind the book title Grieve That Sht* What "the sh*t" really is: the messy, painful, and often invalidated experience of grieving Grief as a full-body, biological, emotional, and intellectual experience The myth of “moving on,” “closure,” and other harmful expectations Why people say the wrong things, and how to hold your truth anyway You can't outthink grief—you have to feel your way through it Grief is more than death: it includes lost dreams, identities, relationships, and futures Journal Questions for Reflection: What does "the grief sh*t" look like in your life right now? When have you tried to “outthink” your grief, and how did that feel in your body? How do you resist grief—and what might it feel like to let go just a little? What parts of your life or identity have you grieved that weren't related to death? What's one honest answer you could give someone if they asked how you're really doing? Conclusion: Grief isn't just emotional—it's physical, spiritual, and all-consuming. It changes everything, and there's no handbook, no timeline, no “right” way to do it. But one truth remains: you are not broken. You are grieving, and your body knows what to do. You don't have to hold your breath through it—you can let yourself breathe again. Let this episode be your reminder: you're doing a damn good job just making it through today.

I am quite sure I have never spoken with a parent whose child had their own Wikipedia page, but Erin's son, Keenan Cahill, does. Certainly, when Keenan was born, Erin did not ever imagine that someday, he would become an internet celebrity. From an early age, Erin worried about Keenan and his growth and development. When Keenan was 12 months old, Erin mentioned her concerns to Keenan's pediatrician. Keenan was diagnosed with Mucopolysaccharidosis Type VI. The disease was not curable, but was treatable. He underwent a bone marrow transplant to slow the progression. Erin was told that his life expectancy was between 40 and 60 years, and they should expect medical complications throughout life.  Despite these challenges, Keenan wanted to be a regular kid, and Erin worked hard to make him feel that way. When Keenan wanted to play sports, Erin signed him up, although he could never hope to keep up with other kids. Nothing stood in his way. As Keenan started high school, he began playing around with the desktop computer he got for his birthday. He released a hilarious video of himself lip-syncing to Katy Perry's song, "Teenage Dream." People loved it, and soon it was played on The Jimmy Kimmel Show. His life changed forever. Keenan was off to do events to entertain people. Celebrities visited their home to be in Keenan's videos, but with this newfound fame, many had negative, hurtful comments. Just as Keenan did not let his disease hold him back, he didn't let those hateful comments hold him back either. Eventually, he graduated from college and was able to produce his own music videos.  Complications after heart surgery ended Keenan's life in 2022 at the age of 27, far earlier than expected. While the world mourned a Youtuber, Erin mourned her amazing son. As Erin shared his story, I just kept thinking about how he spread joy in his short life. That should inspire all of us, shouldn't it? Despite the grief and pain, we too can spread joy and inspire others. While we may not end up with a Wikipedia page, it will be enough to help spread some happiness or relieve a little pain in those around us.

A Wake-Up Call for Every Griever Episode Summary: In this powerful kickoff to Healing Starts with a Heart, Sharon Brubaker gets real about what it means to truly grieve. This episode introduces the unapologetic truth behind her upcoming book, Grieve That Sht*. Sharon shares the raw inspiration for the title, why she refuses to sugarcoat grief, and why it's time for all grievers to stop hiding. If you've ever felt suffocated by forced positivity, misunderstood by the people around you, or overwhelmed by the hidden layers of loss—this episode is for you. This is more than a conversation. It's a declaration. It's your permission to grieve loudly, deeply, and truthfully. Key Points Discussed: The story behind the bold title Grieve That Sht* Why we need to stop hiding in our grief The difference between grieving the person vs. grieving the secondary losses The lies grievers are told by society—and why they don't help The world's broken response to grief and how it adds to our pain Sharon's personal journey and the defining moment that sparked this movement The true meaning of giving yourself permission to heal What it means to grieve on your own terms How the book and Sharon's grief programs are transforming the healing process Journal Questions for Reflection: What “grief sh*t” have you been carrying that no one sees? How has the world responded to your grief, and how did that make you feel? In what ways have you felt pressure to “move on” before you were ready? What would it look like for you to grieve truthfully and unapologetically? Where do you still need to give yourself permission to heal? Conclusion: This episode sets the tone for a new kind of grief healing journey—one rooted in truth, resilience, and radical permission. Sharon isn't just writing a book. She's starting a movement. One that says you no longer have to grieve in silence, put on a brave face, or make other people comfortable. You get to grieve this sh*t. All of it. Every last bit. Because that's how healing starts—with a heart wide open. Contact Us: Have a question, story, or want to connect with Sharon? Email us at: hello@thegriefschool.com Follow Sharon on TikTok: @thegriefschool Learn more or join our next healing weekend at: www.thegriefschool.com You can also follow and connect with us at: clickhereforhope.com

When today's guest, Danielle, went into her 21-month-old daughter Lydia's room to wake her from a nap on Christmas Day 2022, she noted how peaceful Lydia looked. She began to gently rub her back to rouse her gradually, but Lydia did not move. Danielle started to jostle her a bit more and soon realized that something was very wrong. Lydia was not waking up. Danielle screamed for her husband's help and quickly called 911. Even as she drove to the hospital, Danielle says she did not realize the gravity of the situation. Lydia had died. They learned from Lydia's autopsy that she had a rare congenital mesenteric defect that caused a volvulus and bowel obstruction that day. Their previously healthy, smiley, chatty girl and only child was gone. All they were given when they left the hospital were the pajamas Lydia had been wearing - pajamas that matched Danielle's own. They had no idea what to do. She desperately wanted some guidance - resources to help navigate these first unimaginable days and weeks, but they felt alone.  Feeling lost, Danielle went home and started crocheting little white hearts. She buried Lydia with one in her hands and kept a matching one for herself. She crocheted hundreds of these tiny hearts, giving them away so others could remember Lydia's kindhearted spirit. Over the next weeks, Danielle thought more and more about walking out of that hospital with nothing but Lydia's pajamas. Within 4 months of Lydia's death, Danielle had started an organization in Lydia's memory that she named Love From Lydia. She began working with two local hospitals to help make care packages for grieving parents. Included in the package would be a pair of crocheted white hearts and information to help parents in this new, unexpected pain.  Over time, Danielle realized that she wanted to do more than send comforting words on paper. She wanted to help make personal connections. She created COPE (Connecting Our Personal Experiences) which works to match parents with other grieving parents who are at least a year out from the death of their own child, making sure that newly bereaved parents don't feel as lost and alone as she once did.

Andy always loved dogs. I think he loved dogs so much because his personality was similar to a puppy's. He was always on the move and always excited to meet new people and to see new places. Over the years, Andy tried in vain to talk Eric into getting us a family dog. Eric came from a cat family. I came from a dog family. I am allergic to cats and Eric did not really like dogs, so our poor children ended up with pet fish instead. Once, when Andy was young, he asked me, 'If Dad dies, can we get a dog?' I was caught completely off guard but eventually had to answer that we could likely get a dog, but that we did NOT want Dad to die so it could happen. Just like Andy, today's guest, Debbie, and her daughter, Kelsey, have always loved dogs. In Debbie's memoir, My Grief Jar, Debbie relates the stories of the many dogs in Kelsey's life. As a young girl, Kelsey initially struggled with painful urination, which led to more and more struggles with chronic pain throughout her teen years and into adulthood. Throughout it all, however, dogs were a constant in her life, bringing her much joy. As an avid reader of memoirs, Debbie always said to Kelsey that someday 'something good' would come from all of the pain and suffering in her life. In all of the books that Debbie enjoyed, it seemed that the writer of the story would have 'something good' that would emerge from the tragedy they were experiencing. She was certain that would happen for Kelsey.  After Kelsey moved into her own home at the age of 27, she got a lab named Brody. Kelsey dreamed that Brody would become a therapy dog and visit nursing homes and hospitals, bringing a little joy to people living with chronic pain.  Although Kelsey's pain was not thought to be life-threatening, she died from a severe bowel obstruction before Brody was old enough to be trained. Tragically, Kelsey never realized her dream, but Brody and Debbie have been able to do so. Debbie knows she is bringing Kelsey with them on every visit she and Brody make. Although Kelsey didn't get to experience her 'something good' in life, she plays a huge part in it.

The Lies We've Been Told About Grief Episode Description: In this eye-opening episode of Healing Starts with the Heart, grief specialist Sharon Brubaker confronts the damaging lies we've all been told about grief. From childhood, we are handed false beliefs like: • “Don't feel bad” • “Be strong” • “Time will heal” • “You should get over it” Sharon dives deep into how these messages have distorted our understanding of grief and often cause us to suppress or deny the pain we're carrying. She shares her own personal experience with the grief that no one warned her about, and how unlearning these toxic myths led her on a path of true healing. If you've ever felt like your grief didn't fit into the tidy boxes society sets for it, this episode is a must-listen. Sharon invites you to release the shame and guilt tied to these lies, offering a new, empowering perspective on what it truly means to grieve and heal. Key Points Discussed: The Lies We've Been Taught About Grief Why pretending to be “strong” and “moving on” can actually hold us back from healing. How Grief Should Really Be Handled Understanding grief as a personal journey that requires space, time, and the willingness to feel deeply. The Cost of Suppressing Grief How ignoring your grief can lead to long-term emotional pain, and why it's crucial to face it head-on. Grief as a Journey, Not a Destination Grief doesn't follow a timeline, and healing doesn't mean you “get over it.” It means you learn to live with it. Journal Questions for Reflection: What lies about grief have you been told or have believed? How do you feel when others tell you to “move on” or “be strong”? What would it look like if you gave yourself permission to grieve openly and without judgment? Join the Journey: Grief doesn't follow a simple, linear path, but Sharon is here to help you navigate it with compassion. Visit The Grief School for more resources, and join our Study Hall sessions every Tuesday and Thursday. You can also connect with Sharon during her live sessions on TikTok and Facebook.

Mary Fields grew up without a relationship with her father. In fact, she hadn't seen him face-to-face in nearly 20 years when a sheriff arrived at her door to inform her that he had died. What followed was a surreal journey into the life — and the death — of a man she barely knew. With no one else to handle the aftermath, Mary found herself responsible for his estate, including navigating his hoarded trailer, dealing with legal red tape, and making difficult decisions about his remains.In this deeply honest conversation, Mary opens up about what it means to grieve someone who wasn't really there, and how the absence of a relationship can still leave behind an overwhelming emotional burden. She describes the confusion, anger, guilt, and even compassion that surfaced during this unexpected chapter. Through it all, Mary's resilience shines — and her voice gives power to a kind of grief that often goes unspoken.We also talk about therapy, breaking down emotional walls, and finding meaning in the act of honoring someone who may not have deserved it. Mary's story is equal parts heartbreaking and empowering — a testament to what it means to be human, to hurt, and to heal.MARY'S LINKS:FACEBOOK (BUSINESS): https://www.facebook.com/merryassistantFACEBOOK (PERSONAL): https://www.facebook.com/nononopenopeINSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/merryassistant/GIVE THE SHOW A 5-STAR RATING ON APPLE PODCASTS! FOLLOW US ON APPLE OR YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST PLATFORM! BOOKMARK OUR WEBSITE: www.ourdeaddads.com FOLLOW OUR DEAD DADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ourdeaddadspod/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ourdeaddadspod TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ourdeaddadspod Twitter / X: https://x.com/ourdeaddadspod YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmmv6sdmMIys3GDBjiui3kw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ourdeaddadspod/

Adlai Stevenson famously eulogized Eleanor Roosevelt, saying, 'She would rather light a candle than curse the darkness.' When today's guest, Sherri, first heard this quote, she knew that she wanted it to apply to her life as well. Sherri's youngest daughter, Conni, battled through addiction and mental illness for 10 years. Sherri stayed by her side for all of that time, supporting her through the good years as well as the bad. She attended 12-step meetings with Conni and learned about addiction during Conni's low moments and celebrated with her when it seemed she was beating the addiction at last. She learned to love and support Conni while hating her addiction. Months after Conni died by intentional drug overdose, Sherri thought of that famous quote. She had a decision to make - 'I can curse the darkness or I can light a candle.' It would be so easy to want to curse the ugliness of the world when watching a loved one battle addiction. It would be easy to simply sit in darkness after your child dies by suicide. However, Sherri did not make the easy choice. She made the heroic choice to light a candle instead.  Sherri realized that her journey with Connie taught her three valuable lessons. Firstly, Sherri has far more compassion for others in pain. Secondly, she is far less judgmental of others and their actions. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, Sherri is not afraid of ugly. She has lived through the ugliest of the ugly and is still breathing. Sherri knew that she could demonstrate to others that they can do the same. She started posting on Instagram as @itsalifeunexpected to show that it is possible to love and support people through addiction without losing yourself in the process. You see, Sherri knew that she was not going to be the last mom to watch their child battle addiction. She would not be the last mom whose child took their own life. Sherri also knew she wanted to be a light to those who would come after her. She wanted to hold a candle for them and work to light hundreds more along the path so they would not feel quite so lost and alone.

When Larry lost his son, Rob, to suicide six years ago, Larry was devasted. He immediately found a grief counselor and signed up to be in a grief support group. After two months of waiting, he attended his first support group meeting. He said he did not expect to like being in a support group, but, shortly after starting, Larry realized that he had found 'his people'. Larry felt like they could speak a language that 'ordinary' parents could not understand.  When one of the other parents in his support group wished out loud that there was a guidebook for bereaved parents, Larry felt inspired to write such a book. Larry wrote 'A Space in the Heart' (available on Amazon) as an honest guide to help bereaved parents while they are in their deepest, darkest pain. Larry writes:   "When your child is taken from you, you are no longer ordinary parents. Ordinary parents don't visit their child in a cemetery. Ordinary parents don't cry themselves to sleep at night. Ordinary parents don't wake up each morning knowing they'll never see their child again. We become extra ordinary. But after a while, something strange takes place that's right out of a Marvel comic book. A metamorphosis occurs during our grief and mourning, transforming us from extra ordinary to extraordinary. We are extraordinary parents who must go on living in the world with a hole in our hearts. We are extraordinary parents who, in many cases, still love and care for our other children. We are extraordinary parents who go to work every day and function as human beings, while most people are unaware of our secret identities. We are extraordinary parents who feel things that no ordinary parent has ever felt, and we can endure the deepest pain because that has become one of our superpowers." You may not feel like you have superpowers. You may feel weaker than you have ever been in your life, but Larry's words inspire me to hold my head a little higher. We are no longer ordinary parents. In fact, we are no longer ordinary people at all. We are extraordinary and have so much to offer the world.

I have been told that my podcast is an important part of the therapy process for many grieving parents. Today is the first time, however, that I have interviewed someone whose therapist instructed her to reach out to me and be on my podcast as a guest.  When Robyn's son, Drew (Andrew), was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2021, she was 'shocked, but not surprised.' She certainly had that shock of losing Drew, but Drew was a daredevil most of his life. He had no fewer than three accidents in the months before his death that could have taken his life, but he had miraculously walked away each time. After Drew's death, Robyn did everything she thought she should do. She started therapy. She decided to live life to its fullest and bought two kayaks to take up kayaking. She got a healthy diet plan and lost 50 pounds. She bought equipment to start her own podcast. Everyone around her said she was doing great, and from the outside, she looked like she was doing great. Her therapist, on the other hand, said, 'Robyn, you are not doing great. You are not allowing yourself to truly feel. You need to lean into your grief,' but Robyn did not listen. She kept on as she was, until eventually, she couldn't. The grief caught up with her. She needed to grieve. She started in a Compassionate Friends support group. A member of the group told her about my podcast, another 'Andrew's Mom' with a podcast. Hmm. Was this a little sign? In the meantime, Robyn had been going to her new therapist, who had been brainstorming ways that she could help others in her grief. "What about a podcast?" he suggested, "or a book?" Robyn went to her therapist one day and told him about my podcast. "So you emailed her, right?" the therapist said. "No," Robyn admitted. He suggested that she get out her phone and do it right then. She promised to instead email in the next week.  Robyn emailed me, and the rest is history. Months later, Robyn is sharing Drew's story with the world to help others heal. I am so excited to see the next steps of Robyn's journey and what this may lead Robyn to do in the days and months to come.