Catalog
Episodes
Death Doula Julie Wright HalbertJun 2, 2026 · 1 hr 14 minIn this episode I got to talk with author and death doula Jule Wright Halbert. Formerly a lawyer and national education attorney, after the death of her husband Jim she found that she needed to shift her focus and began a new chapter with a different meaning and purpose. We talk about her book, "Divine Ashes Descending," a memoir about her own experiences as a newly bereaved widow and her journey of discovering an alternative career. As an advocate for end-of-life care and hospice models, she speaks openly about the different ways we all deal with the pressure of how to say goodbye.
Find out more about Julie and her work at https://risingphoenix.life/
Follow her on IG @Transformational_soul_coaching- Grief Speaker Kyle KittlesonApr 16, 2026 · 1 hr 11 minIn this episode I talk with fellow grief expert Kyle Kittleson. After the death of his mother, Kyle found that talking about his loss to be among the few things that was truly helpful, and began a new career path that put him directly in touch with other people dealing with trauma. His work with MedCircle has proven that hope and help are always available, and that finding ways to work on our own mental health is more accessable than ever. We talk about how helpful it can be just to be in service of someone elses journey, and how much it matters that we keep telling our stories.
Check out Medcircle and all that Kyle does at https://medcircle.com/
and on IG @MedCircleOfficial
Check out Kyle's youtube BahBahBlast! https://www.youtube.com/@babablast
- Author Jody Gelb - "She may be lying down but she may be happy"Jan 23, 2026 · 1 hr 23 minIn this episode I talk with actor and author Jody Gelb about her book, "She may be lying down but she may be very happy," a memoir about the loss of her daughter Lueza. Born with cerebral palsey, Lueza had many struggles in her too short life, but despite all that they faced, Jody managed to find ways to give her as normal and as happy a life as a child can have. Her story speaks to what is possible when we start to open up and have the tough conversations.
Follow Jody online and get the book at JodyGelb.com
Follow Jody on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jodygelb
Find out more about The Bridge School here!
Find out more about Dora Jar, Jody's other daughter and Lueza's sister!
- Bobbi Schlager Milne - Author of "Not My Andrew"Nov 3, 2025 · 1 hr 7 minIn this episode, I sat down to talk with Bobbi Schlager Milne! I met Bobbi 20 years ago at my first Compassionatte Friends grief conference, and she has continued to be a constant source of love and support in the grief community, and among the few bereaved parents who made a real point in finding support for her surviving daughter Tracy (who later became the sibling representative on the nation board for The Compassionate Friends.) Bobbi's son Andrew was killed in an accident when he was just 10 years old, and his sister Tracy was 15, in 1985. A year later, Bobbi began writing about her grief but ultimately let the manuscript sit on a shelf.
After many years Bobbi revisted her earlier writings about Andrew and published a book, "Not My Andrew" in an effort to show people that it's possible to still find a path forward after the unimaginable has happened.
Find out more and get the book at https://notmyandrew.com
(you can also always get it on Amazon)
- Author Ingrid Hu Dahl - "Sun Shining On Morning Snow"Sep 11, 2025 · 1 hr 21 minIn this episode I got to talk with Author and certified coach Ingrid Hu Dahl. Her new book, "Sun Shining on Morning Snow" is a testatment to the importance of preserving family history and finding ways to talk about the things that we tend to avoid talking about.
After the death of her mother, Ingrid reflected on their relationship and how thier respective journeys of identity and self discovery was similar. Having her own struggle with both her cultural and sexual identity, Ingrid manages to weave her grief into a memoir that is about the ways our relationship to our parents and our past shape our future.
We also talk about the importance of continuing to tell the stories that make us, and to keep the memories of our loved ones alive.
Get the book at https://www.sunshiningonmorningsnow.com/buy
Find out more about Ingrid and her coaching at https://www.ingridhudahl.com/
Follow ingrid on IG @sunshiningonmorningsnow
- Author Louise Ells - "Lies I Told My Sister"Aug 25, 2025 · 51 minIn this episode, I talk with Author Louise Ells about her book, "Lies I Told My Sister."
Her novel began as a response to a a question a friend asked: "What scares you the most? And are you going to write about it?" Having already dealt with the loss of one of her sisters at a young age, Louise managed to find ways to express her feelings of grief and loss in a novel that explores the relationship between sisters, and the ways that we avoid our biggest fears.
We also talk about how writing itself can be so cathartic and a helpful way to make sense of our own emotional responses by having fictional characters deal with them.
Follow Louise at https://www.louiseells.ca/
And her blog: https://louiseells.blogspot.com/
Follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/louiseellsauthor/
- Comedian Keith ChaseMay 28, 2025 · 1 hr 23 minIn this episode I talk with comedian Keith Chase about the tumultuous year that saw him nearly lose his own life alongside dealing with the death of his grandmother as well as his father, all in a short span of time. Now 6 months later (This episode was recorded in Nov. 2024) Keith has started reflecting on all the issues that come out of loss, and how we think about our own mortality while still being responsible for someone elses paperwork.
We also talk about how hard it can be to transition back into regular life again when all you want to do is sit on your couch.
Follow Kieth on Instagram and TikTok @ChaseTheShortGuy
- Author Earla Dawn Legault - "Living With Sibling Grief - Imagining A Way Forward."Mar 4, 2025 · 1 hr 16 minIn this episode I talk with my good friend and fellow bereaved sibling, Earla Dawn Legault about her book, "Living With Sibliing Grief - Imagining a Way Forward."
After the death of her sister Leigh-Ann, Earla struggled to find support for her grief, finding very little in for those who had lost a sibling. Even her local grief support groups in Canada seemed too general to understand what she was going through.
Enter Monica Murphy, a fellow bereaved sibliing who was also struggling after the death of her sister Darcy. Together Monica and Earla wrote a book about their experiences and struggles that truly showcases the power of peer support, and all the connection that comes from putting ourselves out there.
Follow more of Earla at https://linktr.ee/siblinggrief
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibling.grief.buds/
GET THE BOOK At Amazon
Grief Matters 'guest' cartoon - https://griefmatters.ca/cartoons/where-are-all-books-about-adult-sibling-grief
Grief Matters blog - https://griefmatters.ca/blog/drawing-through-the-grief-of-an-adult-sibling
- Author Jonathan Foster - "indigo: the color of grief"Feb 7, 2025 · 1 hr 14 minIn this episode I talk with author Jonathan Foster about his book
After the death of his daughter Quincy at the age of 20, Jonathan spent close to a decade processing how to grieve and continue to keep hope in his life.
Poetry allows for a dynamic and interesting way to weave a narrative, and the ways we experience grief can often be so difficult to express in a linear way. "Indigo" manages to capture a stream of consciousness quality to his story that draws the reader in both mentally as well as visually.
We talk about the ways that we adapt the permanence of absence as we process not just our grief, but how to bring love back to the forefront of our lives.
Follow Jonathan online at https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com
Learn more about Jonathan's charity for Haiti - LoveHaiti.org
(and GET THE BOOK - "indigo: the color of grief"
- Comedian Benny Blue - "Live From My Mother's Funeral"Jan 24, 2025 · 1 hr 16 minIn this episode I talk with comedian Benny Blue about his recent one-man show, "Live From My Mother's Funeral."
After his mother Virginia passed away in 2021, Benny found talking about his experience of grief on stage to be one of the few things that allowed him to be honest while still looking for humor in an otherwise traumatising moment.
Comedy allows us to talk about such a wide variety of things that we don't often talk about in our regular lives, and while we all deal with grief, it's one of the few things we don't always acknowledge.
Benny's show combines aspects of stand up comedy along with some theatrical pieces that blend together in a reimagined version of his mothers funeral that allows both him and the audience to process things together.
We also talk about how the writing and performing of this kind of material is so different from the promotion and sharing of the show.
Follow Benny and all that he does at https://www.bennyblueeyes.net/
Check out the Special - LIVE FROM MY MOTHERS FUNERAL
- Author Chris Cochran - "What's Good About Today?"Dec 16, 2024 · 1 hr 9 minIn this episode, I talk with Author Chris Cochran about his book, "What's Good About Today? A Purpose Driven Life." After getting a terminal cancer diagnosis at the age of 21, Chris' son Christian managed to keep his own optimism and uplifting spirit about him, inspiring those around him to be mindful and grateful for the life they have, and to earnestly exclaim all that which is good about today.
We talk about just how important perspective is when dealing with such a devastating loss, and how much it helps to keep talking about our loved ones.
Follow Chris at https://www.chriscochranspeaks.com
Get the book, "What's Good About Today?" HERE
- Author Annie Sklaver Orenstein - "Always A Siblling"Nov 27, 2024 · 1 hr 22 minIn this episode, I talk to author Annie Sklaver Orenstein about her new book, "Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners Guide To Grief." After years of struggling with her own grief after the death of her brother Ben to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Annie began writing what ultimately became the book that she wished had existed when her loss was fresh.
As a skilled reasearcher, Annie surveyed and interviewed dozens of other bereaved siblings, weaving their stories together with her own, along with detailed references to so many of the resources and support that is out there.
We obviously talk (and bond) over the fact that bereaved siblings are often overlooked - hence the Forgotten Mourners moniker, and how impactful it is to finally have found a community and a vocaulary to talk about our siblings with. We also talk about the surreal expereince of having to sell and promote someting so deeply personal.
Get the book and find out more about Annie!
https://www.amazon.com/Always-Sibling-Forgotten-Mourners-Guide/dp/030683149X
https://www.annieorenstein.com
Follow Annie on Instagram @AnnieSklaverOrenstein
- Comedian Brian RabadeauNov 8, 2024 · 1 hr 30 minIn this episode I talk with comedian Brian Rabadeau life before and after the death of his father, Joe. After several bouts with serious health issues, Brian's father started the pandemic fighting against the isolation and struggling with all the mandates, which ultimately led to him dying of Covid in 2022. Since then Brian has worked on finding ways to move forward and let go of his anger towards his father, and at society at large, reminding himself that optimism and hope are still possible despite what llife throws at us.
Follow Brian on IG @Brabs91
If you're in the New Orleans area when this episode drops, Brian will be performing in the Hell Yes Festival, November 12th, 13th and 14th! (GET TICKETS AND MORE INFO HERE!)
- Author, Musician and Sound Healer Jeralyn GlassOct 23, 2024 · 1 hr 15 minIn this episode, I talk with Author and Sound Healer Jeralyn Glass about her book, "Sacred Vibrations - The Transformative Power of Crystalline Sound and Music," as well as her practice of creating unique sets of crystal singing bowls.
Already a musician and leader in the sound healing movement when her son Dylan died, Jeralyn focused her efforts on helping others tap into the various frequencies and vibrations of life.
We also talk about how helping others heal can be a source of healing for us as well, and how the intersection of science, spiritually and the healing power of music bring us all closer together.
Find out more about Jeralyn and what she does at https://crystalcadence.com/
Follow her on IG @crystalcadencela
GET THE BOOK - Sacred Vibrations!
- Chef Dan BuddOct 1, 2024 · 1 hr 11 minHooray! In this very special episode, I got to talk with Chef Dan Budd, owner of Taste Budd's Cafe, and former teacher at the Culinary Institute of America. As many listeners of the podcast know, my brother Russell was about to graduate from the CIA when he passed away in 2002. Dan Budd was more than one of Russell's professors, he was a mentor to him, and an early employer to take Russell under his wing.
No stranger to grief himself already, Dan's sister Laura died two years prior to Russell, oddly enough on the exact same day, July 6th. Laura's death to a rare brain tumor changed the way that Dan thought about his ability to harness his own energy in support of creating good in the world.
We talk about how family dynamics can change after the loss of a sibling, and the profound bonds we create when talking with others who have been through something similar. We also talk about the importance of gratitude, and the danger of bees!
Check out Taste Budd's in Red Hook, NY!
Taste Budd's
40 West Market Street
Red Hook, NY 12571
Follow Taste Budd's on Instagram!
- Author and Therapist Dr. Sara GlassSep 19, 2024 · 1 hr 10 minIn this episode, I talk with Dr. Sara Glass about her new memoir, "Kissing Girls on Shabbat."
Growing up in an extremely sheltered Orthodox Hassidic Jewish community, Sara decided to become a therapist and mental health professional partially because seeing how her sister Shani's mental health issues impacted her family. When Shani ultimately took her own life, Sara came out of the closet after years of struggling with her sexual identity and eventually wrote a memoir about her path towards self acceptance and an open life. We talk about the different ways that we interalize our own trauma, and how hard it can be to find ways to be honest with the people in our lives about what we are going through.
We also talk about the stigma that comes with suicide and mental health issues in general, and how important it is to recognise that we never have to do it alone.
As September is Suicide Awareness Month, This episode is a reminder that someone is always listening, and if you need help, reach out to a trusted friend or loved one, or you call 988 for the national suicide prevention line.
Get the book "Kissing Girls On Shabbat" On Amazon!
Follow Dr. Sara online at https://www.drsaraglass.com
Or follow her on social media @DrSaraGlass
You can always email ME at WheresTheGrief@gmail.com
Follow ME on Instagram @WheresTheGrief
- Home Funeral Advocate Tawnya MusserSep 6, 2024 · 1 hr 8 minIn this episode, I talk with Tawnya Musser about her role and experiences in the world of Home Funerals. Already in school to become a funeral director when her brother Robert died, Tawnya found conventional funeral and death rituals to be lacking when it came to the way that her family wanted to celebrate Robert's life and give family and friends an opportunity to grieve together in a safe and familiar environment. Since then she has worked to help people find the resources and avenues to hold their own home funerals, and connect them to individual more personalized memorials.
You can find out more about Tawnya and her work at https://deardepartures.com
Also, https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/home-funeral-guidebook.html provides step by step ideas on how to plan a home funeral.
- Comedian Liz GlazerAug 14, 2024 · 1 hrIn this episode, I talk with comedian Liz Glazer about her album, "A Very Particular Experience," recorded on the one year anniversary of Liz and her wife's first daughter's Leo Pearl stillbirth. We talk about the difficulty of even making jokes about such a heavy topic, let alone putting together an entire album. However, we also highlight how important it is to laugh, and how much hope it can bring along with the perspective that keeps us connected to people.
Follow more about liz at https://www.dearlizglazer.com
- Author Joseph Alvaro - "I'm One Of The Lucky Ones."Jul 31, 2024 · 1 hr 14 minIn this episode, I talk with Author Joseph Alvaro about his book, "I'm One Of The Lucky Ones: Remembering A Soulmate." After Joseph's wife Francés died in 2009, followed by a brother in law, an uncle, his daughter and his father, as well as a handful of friends. "It seemed like all I did was go to funerals for 14 months."
In the wake of such traumatic events, Joseph began finding ways to talk about his lost loved ones by focusing on the precious memories and celebrating thier lives rather than dwell on the immense sadness that ultimatly comes with grief.
In addition to his book, Joseph is the creator and producer of The Lucky Ones, a community of shared stories by individuals about people they were lucky to have known who have passed away. Celebrating the lives of loved ones in a short video exposé, these life affirming stories reinforce our common humanity in wonderfully charming videos filled with love, humor, and memories.
Follow Joseph at https://luckyonestv.com for all the links to the videos.
Get the Book on Amazon!
- Author Courtney DeaneMay 24, 2024 · 1 hr 6 minIn this episode I got to talk to Author Courtney Deane about her new book, "When Happily Ever After Fails."
Courtney's father died when she was just 14, and her mother when she was just 28. In order to process her grief and make sense of her feelings about her own identity as a now parentless person, Courtney wrote a romantic comedy novel about a young woman going through similar difficult challenges.
We talk about how important it is to create our own narrative of our trauma, and how finding ways to honor our own journeys.
We also talk about how keeping our sense of humor and allowing ourselves to be a little silly sometimes goes a long way.
Follow Courtney at http://www.courtneydeane.com/
Courtney on IG - https://www.instagram.com/authorcourtneydeane/
Courtney on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneydeane
Follow ME on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wheresthegrief
- Author and Podcaster Brooke CarlockApr 23, 2024 · 1 hr 11 minIn this episode I talk with Author and fellow grief podcaster, Brooke Carlock!
After a two year span in which she lost both her parents, her stepmother AND her 10 year old daugher Libby, Brooke has found a miriad of ways to process her grief, as well as help others through thier own. Her podcast, "Mourning Coffee" is an open and honest discussion about the ups and downs of grief and loss that is unfiltered and refreshing in its approach. It reminds me just how helpful it is to validate our own feelings as normal despite how unfamiliar and scary they can be.
Brooke's new book, "Grief Sucks (But Your Life Doesn't Have To)" also pulls no punches as it highlights the ways we can laugh at the darkest parts of our lives.
Follow Brooke online at https://brookecarlock.org/
- Comedian John MosesMar 22, 2024 · 1 hr 2 minIn this episode I talk to my good friend comedian John Moses! John's father Ken managed to live for 18 months after being given a terminal diagnosis that was much shorter. Now a year after his passing, John is starting to process his relationship with his dad, and finding ways to let his new perspective make him a better man and father. We also talk about how letting go of resentments and being present can be helpful in fostering family connections.
Follow john on Instagram @ComedianJohnMoses
- Author Deborah KasdanMar 4, 2024 · 1 hr 2 minIn this episode, I talk with Author Deborah Kasdan about her book, "Roll Back The World - a sister's memoir." After being diagnosed with schizophrenia as a young adult, Deborah's sister Rachel lived most of her life in and out of hospitals and institutions. Now 20 years since her death, Deborah felt the need to tell Rachel's story, to honer her memory and her life, and to help erase the stigma and fear we have of mental illness.
We talk about the importance of community, as well as hightlight the fact that even though we've come pretty far from what mental health resembled in the 70's and 80's, we still have far to go.
Go to http://deborahkasdan.com to find out more, and to get the book!
Follow Deborah on IG @DebKasdan
- Comedian Micah WalshFeb 9, 2024 · 1 hr 1 minIn this episode I talk with comedian and fellow grief podcaster Micah Walsh! After his father Kevin died, Micah found an outlet for his feelings in starting his own podcast with comedians talking about grief and loss, "I'll Greive You With This."
We talk about how helpful it can be to talk about the hard topics with other people who understand, and who are not afraid to make jokes about an otherwise stressful and devastaing proceess.
Listen to "I'll Grieve You With this!"
@IllGrieveYouWithThisPodcast
@Micah_Walsh
- Comedian Ray Gootz RETURNS!Jan 8, 2024 · 1 hr 17 minHappy New Year!
In this episode, I had an incredible conversation with my good friend and comedian Ray Gootz! Ray was one of my very early guests on the show (Episode 11), just one month after both his mother and Aunt died. He was among the first people I knew who was doing comedy material about his losses right away, and I was in awe of how open and raw the jokes were. It's been 8 years since then and we talk about all the losses Ray has endured since then (His father, another aunt, his virginity, among others) as well as all the things he has gained.
We also talk about our love of movies, comic books, and how most Disney movies are about the grief over the death of a loved one.
Follow Ray Online!
Ray on TikTok
Ray on IG
Check out Gootz's Wrestling Pod!
- Writer and Performer Colin CampbellDec 12, 2023 · 1 hr 6 minIn this episode I got to talk with Writer and Performer Colin Campbell about his Book, "Finding the Words," as well as his solo show, "Grief: A One Man Sh*tshow."
After both of his kids, Ruby and Hart were killed by a drunk driver, Colin had a deep need to express his grief, first by writing jokes about his grief and his loss, eventually turning it into a one man off-broadway production. A brutally honest approach to his pain, Colin manages to connect through his need to grieve publicly, with no punchlines pulled.
With nowhere to perform the show during the pandemic, Colin continued to find an outlet for his struggles, writing a book designed to share the amazing stories of Ruby and Hart, and the lessons they helped Colin and his wife learn in their lives moving forward. With writing prompts, as well as tips and ideas on how to create new rituals, each chapter of "Finding The Words" explores a different theme all too familiar to most grievers.
Learn more about Colin, as well as Ruby and Hart, and get the book at https://colincampbellauthor.com/
Watch Colin's solo show, "Grief: A One Man Sh*tShow" at https://vimeo.com/843242398
Follow Colin on Instagram @colincampbellwriter
- Author James G. RobinsonDec 1, 2023 · 1 hr 21 minIn this episode I talk to Author James G. Robinson about his book, "More Than We Expected - Five Years With A Remarkable Child." When his son Nadav was born with a congenital heart defect, James and his wife understood that thier lives would be more difficult than most. When Nadav died at 5 years old after complications from heart surgery, James managed to focus on the stories of strength and resiliance that his son taught him.
In 2017, his article "Road to Recovery" was featured in the NYT Travel section. Detailing a road trip his family took after Nadav's death, it eventually inspired James to write "More Than We Expected", and allowed him to continue to talk about Nadav's life, and to share his story.
We talk about how important it is to keep memories alive, even when they can sometimes be painful. We also talk about how great it is to connect with others through shared trauma, and the flicker of recognition that embodies the human spirit.
Find out more about the James at https://morethanamemoir.com
GET the book on Amazon
Check out Jame's NYT Article, "Road To Recovery"
Follow James on Instagram @MoreThanAMemior
- Comedian Kaytlin BaileyNov 14, 2023 · 1 hr 11 minIn this episode, I talk with comedian and sex worker rights advocate Kaytlin Bailey about life after the death of her father just over a year ago.
Already a performer and activist before her Father Joe developed dementia, and ultimately cancer, Kaytlin helped her father write his memiors about his life and career in the US Army, and spending as much time as she could before it was too late.
We talk about how having mutual respect for differing opinions and perspectives can help nurture a solid relationship, and allow us to stand up for ourselves even when going through an emotional time.
Kaytlin is the Founder & Executive Director of Old Pros, a non-profit media organization creating conditions to change the status of sex workers in society. Host of The Oldest Profession Podcast, she is also the creator of Whore's Eye View, a 75-minute mad dash through 10,000 years of sex worker history.
Get Joseph Bailey's book "A Soldier's Story"
Follow Kaytlin:
Instagram: @oldprosonline | @kaytlinbailey
Twitter: @oldprosonline | @kaytlinbailey
- Author Alexandra WymanOct 25, 2023 · 1 hr 10 minIn this episode, I got to talk with Author Alexandra Wyman about her book, "The Suicide Club: What To Do When Someone You Love Chooses Death." We talk about the importance of community and the various ways we can find support and create connection outside our immediate families. Alexandra has become an advocate for suicide prevention, helping to change the ways we talk aboout it, and how we can all instill love and hope to those around us before any suicidal ideation takes hold.
Learn more about Alexandra at https://www.forwardtojoy.com
Alexandra also has her own podcast called "The Widows Club" Listen here!
- Author Dawn DiRaimondo - Surviving Sibling LossOct 7, 2023 · 1 hr 8 minIn this episode, I talk with clinical psychologist and author Dawn DiRaimondo about her book, "Surviving Sibling Loss: The Invisible Thread That Connects Us Through Life And Death." Dawn was already a therapist when her brother Michael was killed while deployed in Iraq. Finding few resources and liturature about sibling loss, Dawn decided to write the book that she had wished existed when she was newly bereaved, incorportating interviews and insights from interviews with other bereaved siblings alongside her own experience.
Follow Dawn and get her book at her website, https://drdawndiraimondo.com/
(or get the book directly from Amazon!)
- Comedian Christy MillerSep 14, 2023 · 1 hr 13 minIn this episode, I got to talk to Comedian Christy Miller about how she's been faring after the death of her mother Shirley.
Christy has always been a comedian who pulls no punches in her act, and she came by her sense of humor from her mother, always pushing the bounderies of what was deemed appropriate. Having opened for Andrew "Dice" Clay as well as Paul Mooney, Christy has always been the type to not care what other people think, often using humor to process heavy topics.
We talk about how great it is to have family that embraces our career choices, and how important it is to surround ourselves with people who get us and let us make terrible jokes in the face of devastating events.
Get Christy's Album, "Brually Yours"
Follow Christy on IG @ChristyMillerComedy
Follow Christy's YouTube Page!
- Comedian Christopher WagnerSep 5, 2023 · 54 minIn this episode, I talk with Comedian Christopher Wagner about the different ways he dealt with the death of his parents. We reflect on how much more difficult of a time he had after his mother died than his dad. Chris was somewhat estranged from his father for a period before trying to mend the relationship as time ran out, and we talk about how hard it can be to lose someone just as you feel like you've re-gained them.
We also talk about alternative mental health therapies, including psychodelics and ayahuasca, and the perspective shifts that allow us to forgive and heal.
Follow Chirs on IG @ChrisWagnerd
- Author Kelly S. ThompsonAug 22, 2023 · 1 hr 16 minIn this episode I talk with author Kelly S. Thompson about her book, "Still, I Cannot Save You." Already an award winning non-fiction writer when her sister Meghan died, Kelly turned her story into a memoir about the difficult parts of sisterhood and family bonds that is both heartbreaking and uplifting. After battling childhood cancer, Meghan's adult life was fraught with drug addiction before motherhood pressed her to clean up and re-establish the sibling bond that she and Kelly shared before it was too late.
We talk about how not all sibling relationships are easy, and the different ways we can forgive ourselves and others for past resentments. We also talk about the healing power of writing and the strength it takes to ask for help.
Follow Kelly on Twitter @KellyS_Thompson
Learn more about Kelly and where to get the book at https://kellysthompson.com
- Comedian and Author Jason RoederAug 8, 2023 · 59 minAfter the death of his mother Phyllis, comedian Jason Roeder turned to what he knew best to help cope with the loss, along with the amount of free time he suddenly had due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
A comedy writer by trade who has been published by The New Yorker and The Onion (among others), Jason managed to write a parody grief book that turns many of the tropes and cliche's of grief and mourning on its head, helping to highlight the absurdity of the human existence.
Jason's book, "Griefstrike! The Ultimate Guide to Mourning" provides a number of ridiculous scenarios that poke fun at the structures and rituals we associate with death, alongside footnotes from his own life and experience that remind the reader that all good jokes come from real places, especially those about pain and suffereing.
Get the book and follow Jason online at https://www.jasonroeder.net and on Twitter @jasonroeder
- Comedian Adam MitraniJun 7, 2023 · 1 hr 9 minIn this episode I got to sit down with Comedian Adam Mitrani to talk about how he's been coping after the death of his brother Rueben.
We talk about how isolating grief and loss is, particularly for those who have lost siblings, as well as how difficult it can be to write comedy material about such a devastating and far reaching experience.
We also talk about the importance of community, connection and the power of music.
Follow Adam online on IG @AMitrani
Follow him on Twitter @AMitrani717
- Author and Financial Planner Donna KendrickMay 11, 2023 · 1 hr 16 minIn this episode, I talk with Author Donna Kendrick, about her book "A Guide to Widowhood – Navigating the First Three Years."
After her husband Greg died by suicide, Donna shifted her financial planning skills to help newly bereaved widows and widowers.
We talk about how important it is to integrate our loss so we can move forward, especially when we are literally integrating people in our lives.
Follow Donna online at Widow-wisdom.com
or on IG @widowandwisdom
- Michele Benyo - Founder of Good Grief ParentingApr 18, 2023 · 1 hr 7 minIn this episode, I talk with Michele Benyo, Founder of Good Grief Parenting. When Michele's son David died of cancer at just 6 years old, his sister Deanna, then 3 said, "Mommy, half of me is gone." Already a teacher of early childhood development, Michele shifted her focus. Realizing how much support her daughter was going to need after this loss, Michele began teaching and coaching other bereaved families how to best support thier surviving children.
We talk aboout how parallell set similar the journeys are for both parents as well as sibliings, and the unique challenges that losing a sibling brings.
As a bereaved sibling myself, I am so grateful that there are others out there who are advocating for us, and making sure we have the tools we need to manage our own grief.
Follow Michele and find out more at https://goodgriefparenting.com/
- Author Mark ChesnutMar 28, 2023 · 1 hr 12 minIn this episode, I talk with author Mark Chesnut. Already a travel writer, after the death of his mother Eunice, Mark channeled his grief into a touching end-of-life memoir called "Prepare for Departure," emcompassing his relationship with his mother as well having to confront his own feelings about love and death.
We talk about how impactful it is to be able to be of service, but also how imortant it is to maintain our sense of humor when remembering the stories that shaped us.
Follow Mark online and get the book at https://www.markchesnut.com
Follow Mark on Instagram @Departure_Level
- Author Sherry Walling, PHDFeb 14, 2023 · 59 minIn this episode I talk with author and mental health advocate Sherry Walling! 6 months after the death of her father, Sherry's brother died by suicide. Already a mental health professional, Sherry found that her own need to express herself was through movement and connection. Her poetic book, "Touching Two Worlds" was also turned into a aerialst show focused on how we grieve with movement and performance.
Find out more and get the book at https://www.sherrywalling.com
Follow Sherry on Instagram @SherryWalling
- Sibling Loss and Hiking Safety Advocate Chelsey McHaleJan 11, 2023 · 1 hr 28 minI got to talk with Chelsey McHale, a fellow member of The Compassionate Friends (TCF) support group that I attend. After her brother Clint died while out mountain hiking, Chelsey actually started a TCF sibling support group in her town, AND managed to get new safety signage put up where Clint died in order to help make sure future accidents can be avoided, while also having a spot to visit and honer her brother.
We talk the stupid things people say, how to create healthy boundries with difficult family members, and the importance of staying true to ourselves when no one else seems to acknowledge the struggle that dealing with loss brings.
- Filmmaker, Dancer and Arts Therapist Adriana MarchioneDec 6, 2022 · 1 hr 4 minIn this episode, I talk with interdisciplinary artist, documentary filmmaker, teacher, and arts therapist Adriana Marchione. Already a therapist and dancer when her husband died, she ultimately found ways of expressing her path towards healing by incorporating that which she was already involved in. Her film, When the Fall Comes, is about her process of grief using art and dance after the death of her husband Eddie. Her new documentary, The Creative High, shares compelling artist stories of addiction and recovery. We also talk about the importance of the creative process, and the healing that can come from letting oourselves feel the pain to move through it.
Follow Adriana at https://art-cures.com/
See the Film at https://whenthefallcomes.com/
- Comedian Erin LokNov 16, 2022 · 1 hr 30 minI got to talk with comedian Erin Lok about how comedy helped her cope with all the anxiety and stress that the pandemic brought, as well as the larger difficulty of life after the death of her father. We talk about the importance of letting ourselves express our emotions, as well as the catharsis that a little bit of levity can bring.
Follow Erin online at https://linktr.ee/Erinlokcomedy or @erinlokcomedy on IG!
Follow ME @WheresTheGrief
Email me WheresTheGrief@gmail.com
- Grief Specialist and Hypnotherapist Silke HerwaldOct 18, 2022 · 1 hr 9 minIn this episode, I talk with grief specialist and hypnotherapist Silke Herwald. Silke was already a therapist dealing with the ways our unconsious copes with grief and trauma when her sister died of cancer, giving her work new meaning. Silke created the Grief To Love program that helps women find hope after loss.
We talk about how important it is to find ways to speak out about how we're doing, to remember our loved ones, and to stay connected to the people around us.
Find out more about Silke and her work at https://www.grieftolove.com
Follow Silke on IG at https://www.instagram.com/grieftolove/
Follow her on Twitter at https://twitter.com/SilkeHerwald
Don't forget to rate/review the show!
- LIVE From the TCF Conference in Houston Texas!Oct 7, 2022 · 50 minOh Boy! Once again I got to attend The Compassionate Friends National Conference, this year in Houston Texas!
The Compassionate Friends is a self help support group that provides resoources to bereaved parents, grandparents and siblings.
In this episode, recorded in August 2022 at the TCF Conference in Houston, I sat down with Barbara Hopkinson to talk aboout her book "Faces of Resilience." Find out more about what Barbara does at https://abutterflysjourney.org
And of course, this years "blooper reel" of the madness that comes when we are getting our best work done.
To find out more about what TCF does, or to find a local chapter, visit https://www.compassionatefriends.org
- The Legend of Russell Ferber - Tales from MSG, Cooking with Bobby Flay and MORE!Aug 31, 2022 · 1 hr 18 minRussell Ferber died in a car accident on July 6th, 2002, at the age of 21. This podcast was borne out of my need to continue talking about my brother and how I have managed to keep going without him.
In this episode, I (along with my parents) interview a number of people who actually KNEW Russell to share stories of his indominable spirit. We talk with Denise Fraser, who taught both Russell AND Jordon in elementary School; Steven Schnitzler and Betsy Becker - two people who worked at MSG and helped Russell gain access to the Knicks; Bobby Flay and George Morone, two world renowned chefs that Russell worked for along with Carolyn Beard, Russells baking partner while in culinary school; and we finish up talking with Morgan and Geoff, two of Russell's best friends.
I tell some incredible Russell stories on the podcast from time to time, and finally I get to share some from the people who were actually THERE!
(This episode is comprised of interviews that aired as part of the 15th Annual Russell Ferber Foundation FUN!draiser online in August of 2020)
Check out https://www.russellferberfoundation.org to find out more about what our foundation does, when our next FUN!draiser is, and how to donate!
Follow @RussellFerberFoundation on Facebook AND IG.
Follow @WheresTheGrief on IG and Twitter
- Author Edy NathanAug 18, 2022 · 1 hr 7 minIn this episode I talk with author Edy Nathan about her book, "It's Grief - The Dance of Self Discovery Through Trauma and Loss."
We talk about how she has found comfort and purpose in confronting her grief. After the death of her partner and then her mother, Edy has learned how to help others navigate the difficult new roles we find ourselves in our new normal. We talk about the importance of community, and the power of a good pair of matchiing shoes.
Get the Book, and Follow Edy online at https://edynathan.com
Follow her on Twitter @EdyNathan1 and Instagram @EdyNathan
Follow ME on social media across all platforms @WheresTheGrief
- Author Jane EnrightJul 11, 2022 · 1 hr 13 minIn this episode I talk with Author Jane Enright about her new book "Butter Side Up, How I Survived My Most Terrible Year & Created My Super Awesome Life." We talk about how important it is to recognise when things go our way, and how to maintain a positive outlook in the face of traumatic events.
After a year in which both she and her partner suffered traumatic brain injuries, Jane lost her best friend to cancer, and amazingly turned her story into one of inspiration. In sharing her story of how she's managed to shift her perspective over time, she's created opportunites to connect with herself and others.
Follow Jane at https://www.mysuperawesomelife.com/ and https://www.janeenrightauthor.com/
Get the book wherever books are sold, or through https://shewritespress.com/
Follow ME @WheresTheGrief on TWITTER and IG!
- Comedian Glen TickleJun 20, 2022 · 1 hr 19 minIn this episode I talk with Comedian Glen Tickle (his real name!) about his comedy special, "Good Grief; A Comedy About Loss And Being Bad At It."
After the death of his brother Mark, Glen started writing jokes about his grief as a way of processing his own emotions, and ultimately turned it into a full hour of comedy. We talk about the importance of leaning into our grief, and how cathartic is is to expose our rawness to an audience.
Follow Glen across all platforms @GlenTickle (on IG and Twitter)
Find all his standup clips and dates at https://www.glentickle.com
Follow ME @WheresTheGrief on IG and Twitter!
- Angela From Crafting Comedy CartMay 26, 2022 · 1 hr 9 minIn this episode, I talk with comedian and yarn artist Angela Eh who runs the Comedy Crafting Cart, as well as a weekly streaming series called "Crafts and Laughs" on her IG and YouTube channels. After the death of her partner, who was also a comedian, Angela has relied heavily on her ability to connect and create. We talk about the importance of having places and people to vent to, and the power that comedy brings in helping make sense of the unimaginable.
Follow Angela on Instagram and elsewhere at @craftingcomedycart
- Author Allison BallengerMay 19, 2022 · 1 hr 9 minIn this episode, I talked to Author Allison Ballenger, whose book "One More Year" is a childrens book inspired by her own childhood. After the death of her brother Scott, Alliison was inspired to write a book that helped to keep Scotts essence a part of her life, as what she describes as a "story-telling, song-singing, life-loving, magic-maker. "
Go to https://www.aiballenger.com/ to follow Allison, or to get the book!
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