In Episode 18 we’re delighted to talk with Joëlle Croteau-Willard, a beautiful, tender-hearted human who is grieving the death of her son, Julien. Prior to Julien’s death she grieved her grandfather and her father, but it was Julien’s death that split her open. She turned away from cultural pressure to “be better,” and found solace in educating herself about grief, in learning that grief is a healthy response to a tragedy or trauma.
Near the end of our conversation, her suggestions for people supporting someone in grief are golden.
Joëlle Croteau-Willard (she/her) is the owner of JCW Coaching and Consulting as well as an entrepreneur who has over 10 years of experience as Regional Director of Leadership Training company in Western Canada. She is quadrilingual and a gloal citizen. When her second son Julien died 6 months into her pregnancy with him, she was thrust into a world of deep grief and loss. Her life was devastated and she felt completely shattered – yet, the world continued on without her.
Joelle’s life’s work was revealed to her with the passing of Julien. As her coaching expertise and experiences in the Grief & Loss world collided, she understands now more than ever how vital Pregnancy and Infant Loss Coaching is to recover from trauma and tragedy.
In her loss journey, she’s also seen a tremendous need for the non-grievers & support system of the bereaved to have resources that allow them to feel useful, purposeful, and supportive when their loved ones are living out the worst days of their lives. If you love someone who has lost a child and feel confused, worried and paralyzed by it, she is here for you too.
Her podcast is The House of Mourning.
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/joellespeaks/
Contact page:
https://pregnancylosshealing.com/coaches/joelle-croteau-willard/
Thank you for letting us be in your ears.
Grief and Gratitude is a created by Anne Gudger and Maria Gibson, a mom/daughter duo who talk about grief.
You can find them on Facebook at Coffee and Grief. Please join their private Facebook page:
Coffee and Grief Community. You can also email them at: coffeeandgrief@gmail.com
Anne’s memoir, THE FIFTH CHAMBER, a memoir of loss and love, is forthcoming September
2023. It’s available for pre-order at your local bookstore or
