Shows
SOLACE: Soul + GriefFinding Light in Darkness: A Conversation with St. Ignatius on GriefSend us a textCandee Lucas, a grief chaplain and spiritual director trained by the Jesuits at Santa Clara University, presents an imaginative interview with St. Ignatius of Loyola exploring spiritual approaches to grief and loss. The 500-year-old saint offers compassionate guidance for those experiencing profound sorrow after losing a loved one.• Recognizing "desolation" - when grief makes us feel distant from God - and continuing simple prayer practices• Using the Ignatian Examen to notice small glimpses of God's presence even in times of deep sorrow• Viewing suffering as a path to growing closer...2025-07-2513 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefiPhone GodSend us a textGrief presents itself in many forms, including the loss of control during difficult news. Explore how modern dependency on technology for answers differs from seeking spiritual guidance during times of uncertainty and fear.• What might happen if we took our questions to God instead of Google?• Spiritual answers may be different but more meaningful than information alone • Connection to divine love is universal and available to everyone • Recognition that technology, while useful, cannot provide the living presence we truly seekYou can find us on Spotify, A...2025-07-1810 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefWords Fail, Music SpeaksSend us a textMusic creates a powerful pathway through grief, offering comfort and expression when words fall short. Ben Kweller, a singer-songwriter who lost his 16-year-old son Dorian in a tragic car accident, channeled his grief into creating the album "Cover the Mirrors," demonstrating how art can become a healing force.• The "Impolitic" podcast with John Heileman features a poignant interview with Ben Kweller about his grief journey • Kweller wrote many songs in a grief "fog," a state many grievers may recognize• Music can connect us to memories and validate our feelings of loss• Personal grief experiences can...2025-07-1111 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefColoring Book of GriefSend us a textGrief rarely follows the patterns we imagine it will, often surprising us with unexpected moments of both pain and comfort that defy our expectations. Our personal experiences with grief become like unique coloring books that reflect our individual journeys rather than conforming to society's expectations.• Childhood memories of a beloved sister who colored outside the lines• How grief rarely stays within the boundaries we expect• The unexpected comfort found in sensory memories after loved ones pass• Finding peace in our own personal "grief books" with all their unique patterns...2025-07-0411 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefNotes from "Grieving with the Help of Your Catholic Faith" - 2Send us a textToday explore the difficult questions that arise during grief and how our Catholic faith offers pathways for healing. We examine how questions of "why" and "what if" can become poignant prayers and how sharing our stories helps us accept the reality of loss.• Questions beginning with "why" are often not really questions but statements of protest or pain• The sacrament of reconciliation helps those struggling with unresolved "what-if" questions and feelings of guilt• Telling your story repeatedly is healing • Support groups provide safe places to share stories, express concerns...2025-06-2710 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefNotes from "Grieving with the Help of Your Catholic Faith" - 1Send us a textGrief is the process by which healing takes place after loss, requiring time and space to work through the emotional wounds. The work of grieving involves accepting the reality of loss, experiencing the pain, recreating the person in memory, adjusting to life without them, and finding new meaning.• The word "bereavement" means "to be torn apart"• Emotional wounds from loss take longer to heal than physical wounds• Grief helps you grow emotionally and spiritually despite the pain• The full impact of loss typically hits between 3-9 months after death2025-06-2010 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefIntimate Loss: Grieving a LoverSend us a textThe loss of a lover represents the most intimate and personal of all losses, one that people rarely discuss even in grief groups or therapy sessions. Through Pablo Neruda's powerful love poems, we explore how poetry can give voice to the unique grief of losing a romantic partner and provide comfort for those experiencing this particular type of loss.• Grief differs across various types of losses, requiring different approaches beyond a one-size-fits-all solution• The intimate nature of losing a lover creates unique challenges in sharing and processing this grief• Pablo...2025-06-1313 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefInto Darkness: Suicide and GriefSend us a textCAUTION: TODAY'S EPISODE DISCUSSES SUICIDE, PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND SKIP TODAY IF THE SUBJECT SEEMS TOO INTENSE.Today, we explore the concept of "self-death" as an alternative term for suicide, reflecting onmy recent experiences supporting those grieving after suicide. The topic emerges from a week filled with suicide-related grief conversations and the loss of a work colleague, leading to deeper questions about how we support survivors and understand this form of loss.• Unlike other losses, suicide involves someone taking themselves away rather than being "taken"• The beli...2025-06-0610 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefMy Son Is Not HereSend us a textGrief often speaks in simple, powerful truths like "My son is still not here" - words that capture the relentless reality of loss that remains despite our healing efforts. Explore how we can live with these painful realities while still finding connection to God and our loved ones.• Finding prayer in the darkness through simple pleas• Acknowledging the difficulty of waiting for God's help • Remembering and documenting moments of love as a key to healing• Reflecting on Meister Eckhart's poem about separation and reunion• Understanding that our loved ones...2025-05-3009 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefGrief's Secret GardenSend us a textExplore the profound nature of grief through poetic meditation, drawing on theological wisdom and personal imagery to create a space of understanding for those experiencing loss.• Karl Rahner's reflection that "every one of the departed has taken a piece of my heart"• The physical dimension of grief and longing to hold loved ones again• Finding comfort in spiritual presence when the way feels lostFeel free to send any questions you might have about grieving to my email. I'll try to answer any questions you have in the fu...2025-05-2308 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefFinding Peace in StillnessSend us a textFinding peace through mindfulness is essential for grief healing. By grounding ourselves in the present moment rather than constantly doing, we can navigate even the most challenging situations with greater clarity.• Welcome this space of healing, love and support for those experiencing grief• Buddha teaches us to question our perceptions, as most are false• Peace becomes possible when we return to ourselves in the present moment• The quality of being determines the quality of doing - stillness has value• Looking deeply reveals we contain everything needed for healing2025-05-1614 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefSoul's Journey Through GriefSend us a textToday we share profound verses from Rumi's "Fountain of Fire" that explore the intersection of love, life, and death. These ancient words offer comfort and new perspectives for those navigating the complex landscape of grief.• Exploration of Rumi's poetic wisdom on how the known merges with the unknown• Reflection on the continuity between this life and the next• Reminder that the soul cannot be confined by physical death• Encouragement to practice kindness• Invitation to view death as transformation Remember I'm always available for spiritual d...2025-05-0911 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefSorrowing: A Grief PathSend us a textGrief transforms from a static condition to an active process through the concept of "sorrowing"—a verb form shared by a friend also grieving the loss of parents. This perspective honors grief as a journey rather than a problem to solve, connecting us to spiritual traditions that recognize sorrow as a pathway to deeper wisdom.• Ancient poetic texts illustrate how the soul might "take wings" even amid profound loss• Biblical images of Mary at the cross demonstrate faithful presence in unbearable suffering• Passages from Corinthians highlight how our experiences of affli...2025-05-0208 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefSoul Food: Religious Poetry for the BereavedSend us a textSpiritual wisdom transcends cultural boundaries when we face grief and loss. Ancient prayers and poetry from Buddhist, Christian, Shinto, Islamic, and Jewish traditions offer comfort by acknowledging pain while providing perspective on life's impermanence.• Dalai Lama reminds us that suffering comes from wanting permanence in an impermanent world• Christian prayers acknowledge Jesus who also experienced grief and wept• Buddhist metaphor of cherry blossoms shows beauty and brevity go hand-in-hand• Shinto prayer connects us as brothers and sisters across oceans• Merit Malloy's poem encourages us to find the deceased i...2025-04-2515 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefGOOD FRIDAY: The Shepherd's PsalmSend us a textExperience the beloved 23rd Psalm as you've never heard it before through multiple translations that reveal new dimensions of meaning and comfort in this ancient text.• Multiple translations showcase different interpretations while preserving the psalm's essential message• The imagery of shepherd, green pastures, and still waters remains consistent across all versions• Each translation highlights the psalm's movement from speaking about God to speaking directly to God• Various phrasings of "goodness and mercy" pursuing us offer fresh insights into divine care• Contemporary language makes the ancient text accessible while trad...2025-04-1814 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefDesert Night with Jesus: When Grief Feels ImpossibleSend us a textWe explore the barriers that prevent some people from fully entering the grieving process, particularly when complex relationships with the deceased create emotional blockages. Examining our hearts during Lent provides an opportunity to address unresolved wounds and cultivate the humility necessary for genuine healing and transformation.• Complex relationships can create barriers to grieving fully due to unfinished emotional business• Unexamined slights or forgotten relationship ruptures often prevent us from processing grief• Lent offers a time to examine our spiritual life and relationships• Those who guard their hearts most closely...2025-04-1115 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefInto the DesertSend us a textToday journey with Jesus through his days in the desert, exploring his contemplation of suffering, sacrifice, and the transformative power of love. Jesus shares his ultimate teaching: that love is the only requirement in this life, and the only foundation that will endure.• Jesus teaches that he loved and knew us before we were born, and wrote his name on our hearts• Love forms the basis of our families, communities, religious practices, society, and even empires• Towers not built on love will fall, families not built on love will crumbl...2025-04-0410 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefGrief's Desert: Finding God in LentSend us a textGrief and the Lenten season share profound similarities, inviting us to see Jesus as a companion in our desolation. We explore how Christ's 40-day retreat in the desert mirrors our grief journey—both experiences bringing us face-to-face with limitation, aloneness, and the search for meaning.• The desolation of grief parallels Jesus' desert experience during Lent• Jesus contemplated his limited time on earth, just as grief forces us to face mortality• Ecclesiastes reminds us of God's constant presence • Approaching grief as a shared journey rather than a solitary experienceA...2025-03-2810 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefEmbracing New Beginnings Through FaithSend us a textWhat if letting go of the past isn't an act of betrayal but a step toward healing? Through the verses of Micah, we explore how grief can feel like the last leaf in a storm, and yet, there is comfort in embracing the memories that continue within us. Come into our circle of healing, where we pray for the strength to move beyond pain, comforted by the promise of new life and faith in GodListen every Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music for spiritual direction, art, and workshops sh...2025-01-0309 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefThe Healing Power of Love in GriefSend us a textHave you ever been caught in the throes of grief, only to find that love and spirituality seem to be missing from the conversation? That's a gap we intend to bridge in this episode, as I, Candi Lucas, reflect on a podcast that left me yearning for a deeper exploration of the role of love in healing from grief. Drawing from the teachings of Jesus on love, we'll delve into death anxiety and how to find solace in God's presence amidst loss. Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Google...2024-01-1212 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefIf They Took Their Own LifeSend us a textLost in a sea of grief, we embark on a journey to explore one of life's most harrowing experiences - self-death (suicide). The shockwave that follows such an event, the sense of loss, the questions, the 'what ifs' - we explore them all. It's a journey that dives deep into the human psyche, attempting to understand the profound choice someone makes and the aftermath that follows. How do we respect this choice? How do we support those left behind? How do we create a safe space for those affected to share their stories? Come, j...2023-08-1812 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefFinding Solace in Faith: The Story of a Parish Grief GroupSend us a textHow do you navigate the rough seas of grief, and find comfort and understanding through faith? Join us as we sit down with our special guests, Kathy, Trinie, and Dolores, three close friends who are the heart and soul of a parish grief group. These phenomenal women share their journey of conceiving and nurturing this ministry, the challenges they faced, and the instrumental role the Holy Spirit played in their work. They take us through the unique facets of their faith-based grief group, including the creation of a sacred space for their members...2023-08-1116 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefHealing Hearts: From Fallow Fields to Sacred GroundSend us a textReflecting on the grief journey, find a soul-soothing metaphor in the concept of 'fallow'. Picture this - you're stepping out of a dense forest into a vast, untouched field, the fallow land. This is your heart, battered by the loss of someone dear, now ready to be nurtured and grown anew with love. Let's walk this path together, steadily and slowly, with Jesus as our companion.Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Google Podcasts, Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven C...2023-08-0410 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefGrief Wisdom from Kahlil Gibran's 'The Prophet'Send us a textHave you ever wondered about the intricate link between grief and love? Together, we discover how acknowledging the love that existed can make grieving slightly more bearable, inspired by the words of Kahlil Gibran’s 'The Prophet'. We journey through the stages of grief and self-knowledge . Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Google Podcasts, Apple, Amazon Music, Spotify, or follow us on the Facebook pages of Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Los Altos, California, or Calvary Cemetery in San Jose, California.SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVA...2023-07-2812 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefGrieving in St. Teresa's Interior CastleSend us a textIn this episode, we bring our listeners a response to the writings of St. Teresa of Ávila and John of the Cross, as we delve into the rooms of loss and grief. Join us, as we navigate through these rooms, discovering God's enduring love and finding comfort in our shared experiences. This is an invitation to you, to honor those you've lost, process your grief, and discover how God is moving in your life during these challenging times.Be sure to subscribe to this podcast on Google Podcasts, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Mus...2023-07-2119 minSOLACE: Soul + GriefEmbracing God's Presence with Poet Rainier Maria RilkeSend us a textAs we journey through our own grieving process, the powerful poetry of Rainer Maria Rilke can provide solace and guidance. Join us as we explore the depths of our emotions and the healing power of God's presence in our lives through Rilke's verses. Delve into his search for God and learn how his words can help us transform our mourning into comfort, opening our hearts to more love, compassion, and a deeper connection with the divine. Listen in to this transformative discussion and find hope, growth, and spiritual nourishment through the p...2023-07-1412 min