Shows
As I Live and Grieve®Grow In Your GriefSend us some LOVE!When was the last time you found yourself in a safe space to talk about grief? In this heartfelt conversation, Kathy welcomes back Nick Gaylord, host of "Our Dead Dads" podcast, for a candid exploration of grief community and the transformative power of shared stories.Nick opens up about creating his unconventionally-named podcast after his father's death left him struggling with unexpected anger and communication challenges. Despite seeking therapy himself, he recognized how many people lack access to professional grief support due to financial barriers or societal stigma. His solution? Build...
2025-07-0137 min
As I Live and Grieve®It's Okay to LaughSend us some LOVE!Have you ever felt guilty for laughing while grieving? That moment when humor breaks through your sorrow, and you wonder if it's okay to smile? Nancy Weil, with over 18 years in grief support, joins us to explore why these moments aren't just okay—they're necessary for healing.Nancy shares the science behind laughter's healing power during grief: it boosts our depleted immune systems, reduces stress hormones, and improves memory retention when we're struggling with "grief fog." But beyond the physiological benefits, laughter serves as a momentary respite, bringing us into the pr...
2025-06-1730 minAs I Live and Grieve®When the Ocean Takes Back the GlassSend us some LOVE!Death isn't the end—it's a transformation. What if our consciousness is like a glass of ocean water that, when poured back into the sea, becomes one with its source again? This profound conversation with Michael Hirshorne, author of "Taking a Chance on Life," challenges our understanding of what happens when we die and how we might maintain connections with loved ones who have passed on.Michael shares his remarkable journey from a 30-year career as an analytical accountant to becoming a spiritual explorer seeking answers about life, death, and what li...
2025-05-2736 minAs I Live and Grieve®Cruising Through GriefSend us some LOVE!Imagine a place where your grief doesn't need to be hidden, where joy and sorrow can peacefully coexist, and where everyone around you truly understands the weight you carry. That's the revolutionary concept behind The Grief Cruise, created by Linda Findlay after her own devastating loss of a newborn daughter more than three decades ago.Linda shares her remarkable journey from bereaved mother to grief advocate, describing how the absence of support following her daughter's death inspired her to create aftercare programs for funeral homes across North America. "My daughter's legacy...
2025-05-2031 minAs I Live and Grieve®Playback Theater - For CaregiversSend us some LOVE!Kathy welcomes Erin Whalen, founder of Compassionate Coaching, for a fascinating exploration of how innovative approaches to storytelling and communication can transform the caregiving experience. Drawing from her background in professional acting, Erin reveals how Playback Theater—a unique art form where actors immediately perform the personal stories shared by audience members—creates powerful moments of catharsis and perspective for those navigating grief."We play back not just for the sake of playing it back. It's really a way to get to the heart of the story," Erin explains, describing how this...
2025-05-1030 minAs I Live and Grieve®It's Actually Okay to Be OkaySend us some LOVE!Grief doesn't have to be an endless journey through darkness. What if there's another way to look at loss—one that acknowledges pain while making space for joy? Marie Alessi, bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and Memorial Manager, joins us to shatter the most persistent myths about grief. Having lost both her father at age 20 and her beloved husband Rob after 12 years of marriage, Marie speaks with the authority of lived experience rather than just academic understanding."Everything around grief right now was heavy and dark," Marie explains, challenging the common narrative th...
2025-04-1937 min
THE Podcaster NationTHE Podcaster Nation #36 - "As I Live and Grieve" Podcast with Kathy Gleason!!!Kathy Gleason has lived this journey. Her personal story of grieving has helped her to share her experiences with those in need. The "As I Live and Grieve" podcast started as a way of helping others heal, while she healed. Kathy believes it was Devine Intervention that led to her pursuing the podcasting path, and the huge following that she has developed is proof of that. This is Kathy's story, this is YOUR story. As Kathy and her daughter are fond of saying, "WE ARE YOU!" Listen now. Check out their podcast here: https://open.spotify.com/episod...
2025-03-1342 minAs I Live and Grieve®Our Dead Dads2Send us some LOVE!Imagine starting a podcast from a light-hearted joke among friends, only to find it transforming into a deeply meaningful project. That's exactly what happened to Nick Gaylord, the creator of "Our Dead Dads." Join us as we welcome Nick back to share the deeply personal story behind his podcast, which began with humorous banter among his brothers and friends who, like Nick, have lost their fathers. In this episode, Nick delves into the bittersweet memories of his father and his journey that spans across various states and a fascinating career in the pharmaceutical...
2024-11-0538 minAs I Live and Grieve®The Urban Grief Shamans - with John Moir and Kathy GleasonSend us some LOVE!When the shadow of loss darkened my life, it was the haunting lullabies of sorrow that brought unexpected renewal. This episode, which is the inaugural episode of a new Podcast series by John Moir and Patricia Jones, hosts our very own Kathy as their first guest. Join John and Kathy as they discuss how grief molds the clay of our being into works of profound beauty. Here, in the crucible of our most intimate losses, we find the courage to transmute pain into passages of healing. The episode culminates in a reflection on t...
2024-01-0933 min
RELEASE Grief Podcast10 Kathy Gleason: Experiencing Grief as a Lifelong JourneyGrief is an experience that Kathy Gleason, like many of us, is very familiar with. It has been her constant companion since she was a newlywed, and continues to this day. After first losing her father, then her full-term stillborn son, her mom and her beloved husband Tom, Kathy has had to navigate a sea of grief over many years, roles, and stages of life.Now 73 and a grandmother, Kathy helps others who are grieving with her “As I Live & Grieve” podcast and as a guide for people seeking help with their own memoirs. During...
2023-10-0344 minAs I Live and Grieve®A Break from Grief - My StorySend us some LOVE!Summary:It’s my turn to speak - to tell my story in one piece instead a comment here and there. It’s also my turn to let you, the listener, know how much you have helped me. In providing resources for you, I found new and exciting alternatives, curious concepts, and inspirational ideas. It’s time for a break - for introspection, relaxation, and exploration. There will be a gap of 2-3 weeks until the next episode. Until then…Take care of yourselves, as we all continue to live...
2023-08-0138 min
Financially Ever After WidowhoodTaking Control of Your Finances After Widowhood with Kathy GleasonAre you struggling to cope with the loss of a spouse and the financial challenges that come with it? In this episode of Financially Ever After Widowhood, host Stacy Francis speaks with Kathy Gleason, an author and grief support expert with a deep understanding of the struggles that come with losing a spouse. Kathy is also co-host of the As I Live and Grieve podcast. Kathy details her personal journey of loss, including the challenges of managing the paperwork and red tape that come with it. She also shares valuable insights and practical advice on how to navigate the...
2023-04-1832 minAs I Live and Grieve®A Community for Widows, with Melissa PierceSend us some LOVE!Summary:Is it possible to thrive after you lose someone you love? Perhaps not right away, but I (Kathy) can speak for myself and tell you that I feel I am thriving at this point of 5 years from the death of my husband. For now, the "How" is not important, it is merely the fact that it is, I believe, possible. One essential ingredient is community - the people in my life that helped. Melissa Pierce tells us today of a new online (at one point to be face to...
2023-03-2132 minAs I Live and Grieve®Anticipatory Grief, with Kasey PerkinsSend us some LOVE!Summary:Is grief made easier when you have time before a death, knowing it is coming? Listen in and draw your own conclusion as we chat with Kasey Perkins, Executive Director of Aurora House. It may be this situation allows more time to plan and prepare, but grief, whether you are armed and ready for it, or whether it blindsides you with no warning, is still devastating and overwhelming.Notes:Kasey Perkins joined the Aurora House as a per diem nurse in 2019 and quickly moved...
2022-06-2830 minAs I Live and Grieve®Heaven’s Bell, with Sherrie BarchSend us some LOVE!Summary:New to the list of books for the middle-school age level is Heaven’s Bell, by Sherrie Barch, Sherrie introduces an easily understood concept about remaining in touch with our departed loved ones that can be read by or with your tweens. Best friends deal with a relationship made vulnerable by terminal illness. Though targeted for a specific age group, the concept is easily understood and can be appreciated by all ages, even toddlers. As well, the easy to read story presents the perfect atmosphere to broach the subject of...
2022-06-2127 minAs I Live and Grieve®Legacy of Love, with Cindy MichSend us some LOVE!Summary:When we lose someone it is natural to dwell on memories. Our guest, Cindy Mich, has opted to create a legacy using her expertise as a film producer to honor her love, Michael, and go on tour so numerous others will know of him and remember him in his acting career.Notes:Cindy is Sole Proprietor of Cin’s Sweet Creations - Professional Writing/Editing Business, and a Freelance Independent Film/TV/Book Reviewer, Freelance Editor and Script/Screenplay Reviewer. She is the founder of...
2022-06-1429 minAs I Live and Grieve®Love, Dad, with Michael AnthonySend us some LOVE!Summary:Today’s episode is one everyone will enjoy. Mike tells his experience of hearing from his father after his father died. Skeptics listen in, as Mike went to great lengths to find his own level of comfort in accepting this beautiful connection from the afterlife.Notes:Mike Anthony is a sometime professional actor, majority time bartender at Hamilton on Broadway. After a personal experience completely shifted his understanding of how the universe works, Mike turned to science for answers. Now spending his time investigating an...
2022-06-0744 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief from the Buddhist PerspectiveSend us some LOVE!Summary:Deborah Eden Tull, or Eden as she prefers to be called, spent numerous years as a Buddhist monastic. She relates that one of the fundamental teachings of Buddhism is impermanence. We need, therefore, to live our lives to the fullest.Notes:Deborah Eden Tull is a Zen meditation and mindfulness teacher, author, activist, and sustainability educator. Her new book Luminous Darkness: An Engaged Buddhist Approach to Embracing the Unknown will be released in September 2022, published by Shambhala Publications.Contact:
2022-05-3133 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief and Self-Care, with Alexandra MaasSend us some LOVE!Summary:Listen in as we speak with Alexandra Maas, from the Netherlands, about the importance of self-care while grieving.Notes:Alexandra Maas, lives with her son, 2 cats, 2 dogs in a quaint little city in the north of the Netherlands. Besides her passion for her work she has love for creating in cooking, writing and textile designs. After a career of almost 17 years as a Union board member and policy worker for Police, Military Personnel and Construction Workers she started her own counseling practice in 2005. Alexandra...
2022-05-2435 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief Camp for Kids-Camp Heartstrings/Camp DreamsSend us some LOVE!Summary:A wonderful resource exists in the Rochester, NY area — Camp Heartstrings/Camp Dreams. Listen in as Michele Allman of UR Medicine Home Care helps us understand how children from grades 2 - 11 are supported at this 3-day event. We hope you will be moved to support or start a similar program in your community.Notes:Camp Heartstrings/Camp Dreams is a three day camp for children (entering grades 2-11 in September 2022) who are adjusting to the death of a loved one. Developed by Licensed Master So...
2022-05-1727 minAs I Live and Grieve®Journal to Overcome Grief, with Latisha PorterSend us some LOVE!Summary:Journaling is one of the top three recommendations offered by bereavement specialists and therapists alike. Join us today as we chat with Latisha Porter about her book, Journal to Overcome Grief. In a format that combines inspiration and truth with prompts to help those grieving put thoughts and emotions on paper, Latisha's contribution of a resource is a welcome addition to the griever's collection.Notes:Latisha Porter is the proud author of Journal To Overcome Grief, A Personal Journey to Healing. A professional by...
2022-05-1029 minAs I Live and Grieve®Crystals May Help Grief Symptoms, with Elyse FalzoneSend us some LOVE!Summary:When the symptoms of grief hit us, we would do most anything for relief. This week we are exploring the use of crystals for healing these adverse side effects of loss -- anxiety, depression, anger, sleeplessness, etc. Listen in as Elyse shares her simple method for exploring healing crystals and check below for her very generous offer!Notes:Elyse Falzone is an Intuitive Healer and Energy Alchemist for CEO's & Spiritual newbies alike. She supports her community to create intimate relationships with their Intuition, activate...
2022-05-0332 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief Rants, Raves and Random, with John PoloSend us some LOVE!Summary:John Polo has captured thoughts in his book, Widowed. Rants, Raves and Random, that most of us feel but are reluctant to utter except when completely alone. This is an episode not to miss -- and a book that is a must for everyone grieving.Notes:John Polo is a coach, author and speaker. In January of 2016, John lost his wife, Michelle, to cancer. From the rubble of everything that he once knew, consumed by desperation and despair, John held on long...
2022-04-2629 minAs I Live and Grieve®Sibling Grief in Early Childhood, with Michele BenyoSend us some LOVE!Summary:Losing a sibling is devasting at any age, but when our children are small it adds complexity that challenges the entire family. Listen in today as our guest, Michele Benyo relates her experience as one child battles cancer and another child tries to understand what is happening and what is to happen.Episode Notes:As a family educator, Certified Grief Recovery Specialist™️, and early childhood parent coach, Michele's goal is to equip parents with the tools to discover their own heart-led wisdom. Her mission is t...
2022-04-1932 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief and Intuition, with Ada May BrownSend us some LOVE!Summary:Our favorite psychic medium returns to chat about intuition. Many of us eagerly await signs from our loved ones, some smile as they recall a sign they have received. How much is due to our skill level for intuition? Or are signs something everyone is able to look for? Listen in…Episode Notes:Ada May has been a professional Psychic Medium for over a decade and a half working with individuals both in the United States and abroad. Having been highly intuitive all of her...
2022-04-1232 minAs I Live and Grieve®Nitty Gritty Grief, with Marj SmithSend us some LOVE!Summary Notes:After calling hours are over and those priority tasks are completed, a series of choices arise: should I remove my wedding band? will people tell me to think about dating? will I still be able to see my step-grandchildren? We call these the nitty gritty parts of grief -- the inevitable choices that keep bringing the reality of your loss into your daily life. Sometimes our heads spin with doubt, uncertainty, panic. Listen in today as we chat about these choices and others, and offer our thoughts on h...
2022-04-0535 minAs I Live and Grieve®First Year of Grief Club, with Addison BrasilSend us some LOVE!Summary:"Just to the left of death," are the words used by Addison Brasil to describe his experience with grief. Join us today as we discuss this concept, along with his new book, First Year of Grief Club: A Gift From From A Friend Who Gets It .Bio:Addison Brasil had no intention of becoming a disruptor in the mental health and grief space. While pursuing his dream of creating stories that connect people, events in his life forced Addison to focus his full attention o...
2022-03-2934 minAs I Live and Grieve®STUGs and Your Grief JourneySend us some LOVE!Summary:Have you ever been moving through your day, comfortable, doing just fine, only to be suddenly blindsided by emotions, memories and a debilitating experience resembling a panic attack? If so, you may have just experienced what is becoming known as a STUG (Sudden Temporary Upsurge of Grief). Today's guest, Jack Rainer, shares his knowledge of these frightening episodes and helps us understand how we may get through them.Episode Notes:Dr. Jackson Rainer is a board certified clinical psychologist who has practiced psychotherapy for...
2022-03-2230 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief - From Pain to Growth, with Edy NathanSend us some LOVE!SummaryIn Grief we experience severe pain of loss, whether due to a death or other loss in life. Listen in today as our guest, Edy Nathan, shares insight and her 11 phases of grief from her book, It’s Grief: The Dance of Self-Discovery Though Trauma and Loss, to help us as we move through our journey in grief. Trauma, abuse, and grief cause the soul to become imbalanced: The goal of the work is to find emotional calibration or balance to defy the depth of darkness and the grip gr...
2022-03-1531 minAs I Live and Grieve®Make Lasting Memories in Your GriefSend us some LOVE!Summary:Join Kathy and Stephanie as they chat about some ideas to create lasting memories of your loved ones. Called "forget-me-nots," the opportunities vary from simple photo collages to intricate plasticized sculptures and conversation pieces. "...mementoes become clutter when they no longer bring us pleasure." ~ Alison GilbertContact: www.asiliveandgrieve.com info@asiliveandgrieve.com Facebook: As I Live and Grieve Instagram: @asiliveandgrieve Credits: Music by Kevin MacLeod Suppor...
2022-03-0832 minAs I Live and Grieve®The Dreaded Tasks of GriefSend us some LOVE!Marjorie Smith, LCSW, visits with us again today to tell us how we should handle those "dreaded" tasks of our grief journey. Handling things like thank-you notes after the funeral, cleaning out the closet of your loved one, what to do with their possessions/memorabilia, and how about those first social events/holiday celebrations after they've passed?Marj graduated from Roberts Wesleyan College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Organizational Management and returned to Roberts to complete her Masters of Social Work. While working in mental health as a therapist, she exp...
2022-03-0131 minAs I Live and Grieve®Your Brain on Grief, with Dr. Mary Frances O'ConnorSend us some LOVE!Summary:Have you wondered why death of someone we love is so hard to believe, and then to accept? Listen in - listen for the analogy of the dining room table. (Despite saying near the beginning of the podcast that we won't reveal it, we do eventually talk about it.) With this seemingly simple explanation, it all made sense. Dr. O'Connor chats with us today about her findings related to what happens in our brain when we grieve, outlined in her recently published book, The Grieving Brain....
2022-02-2229 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief is a Wilderness, with Dawn MurphySend us some LOVE!Summary:Our concept of grief changes completely once we experience it. It can be difficult to find the right words to describe it to friends. Dawn Murphy, we feel, has done just that. In her book, Good Grief! Trekking the Wilderness of Loss, the use of the word wilderness is perfect. We feel isolated, abandoned, left with resources to even help us find our way. Listen in...Episode Notes:Dawn Murphy finds comfort in two plus two always equaling four but writes books w...
2022-02-1533 minAs I Live and Grieve®The Harsh Reality of Grief, with Chelsea OhlemillerSend us some LOVE!Summary:Today's guest, Chelsea Ohlemiller, speaks to us today about her personal journey after the death of her mother in 2017. She turned to writing, and her words can offer you both comfort and encouragement. Listen in...Episode Notes:Chelsea describes herself as a sappy romantic, coffee junkie, book collector, and person who wears her heart on her sleeve. She’s sarcastic, full of jokes, full of tears, and enjoys writing most when life gets messy or complicated. In 2017, Chelsea's mother passed away. Through her grief jo...
2022-02-0832 minAs I Live and Grieve®SBNR Perspective and Grief, With Dr. Terri DanielSend us some LOVE!SUMMARY:Dr. Terri Daniel returns to share more information on how religion and spirituality differ, and delves into the perspective of Spiritual But Not Religious (SBNR), the adoption of which has increased significantly in our population.EPISODE NOTES:Dr. Terri Daniel is an interfaith hospice chaplain, end-of-life educator, and grief counselor certified in death, dying and bereavement by the Association of Death Education and Counseling and in trauma support by the International Association of Trauma Professionals. She conducts workshops throughout the U.S. and teaches at...
2022-02-0136 minAs I Live and Grieve®RetrospectiveSend us some LOVE!Summary:Join us today as we look back at some of our previous topics, offer thoughts from our own use of some of these concepts, and an update on our knowledge of grief. We have covered a lot of perspectives, recommended some books, offered some activities for our listeners -- and we have lots more coming in the weeks ahead!“Grief, I’ve learned, is really just love. It’s all the love you want to give, but cannot. All that unspent love gathers up in the corners of you...
2022-01-2542 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief in a World Gone Mad, with Gary RoeSend us some LOVE!Summary:Join us as Gary Roe’s guides us through this world gone mad. His new book, Hope in a World Gone Mad, is on the shelves and offers this hope in his gentle, conversational style. He uses our questions and responds easily with scripture and rationale that will renew our faith and offer us comfort, regardless of the reason for our grief.Episode Notes:Gary Roe is the multiple award-winning author of more than a dozen books including Comfort for the Grieving Spouse’s Hear...
2022-01-1840 minAs I Live and Grieve®More About Grief, Ghosts and Spirits, with Ada May BrownSend us some LOVE!Summary:We delve deeper into our connections with those departed. Ada May's casual style allows easy conversation and her candid observations in her communications and interactions with spirits and ghosts - a conversation you will not want to miss.Episode Notes:Ada May has been a professional Psychic Medium for over a decade and a half working with individuals both in the United States and abroad. Having been highly intuitive all of her life, it wasn’t until her mid-thirties that one of those little lif...
2022-01-1133 minAs I Live and Grieve®Imaginal Psychology and GriefSend us some LOVE!Summary:Today Dr. Linda Shanti shares her background of Imaginal Psychology and explains this modality for our grief. You may want to consider checking out her group, The Art of Grief, which will help support widows in their grief using expressive arts (e.g. - collage, drawing, journaling, altar making, altered books, etc.).Episode Notes:Linda Shanti McCabe, PsyD is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Recovery and Grief counselor, artist, and widowed mom. She has been passionate about helping women recover from disordered eating and body...
2022-01-0429 minAs I Live and Grieve®Recognizing Grief, with Julie HallSend us some LOVE!Summary:Wouldn't it be nice if we could know someone is grieving? In today's conversation we learn a bit more about grief and how to recognize it in both ourselves and others. Episode Notes:Julie Hall holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Economics from New York University, a Master’s in Business Administration from Rutgers University and a Master’s of Science in Marriage and Therapy from Seattle Pacific University. Julie is trained in Restoration Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Dialectical Behavio...
2021-12-2831 minAs I Live and Grieve®Hardcore Grief Recovery with Steve CaseSend us some LOVE!Summary:When we grieve, we often are recipients of platitudes that we perceive as empty, meaningless and sometimes even cruel. Even some blogs or books we turn to for support may seem superficial and unrealistic. Well, Steve Case has written just the book for those wanting the straight, uncensored reality of Grief, Hardcore Grief Recovery: An Honest Guide to Getting through Grief without the Condolences, Sympathy, and Other BS (F*ck Death; Healing Mental Health Journal for Adults After the Loss of a Loved One). Join us in hearing why t...
2021-12-2129 minAs I Live and Grieve®Re-Release - 8 Tips to Handle Holiday Grief, with Gary RoeSend us some LOVE!Summary One of our favorite episodes, with excellent tips for managing the upcoming holidays as you grieve. Our guest is Gary Roe, who shares with us 8 Tips to Handle Holiday Grief. Episode Notes: Gary Roe itemizes his 8 Tips to Handle Holiday Grief and adds his personal experience to help others contemplate their own situations and feel supported and a bit more in control of this frantic period, now even more stressful with the pandemic. Gary Roe is the multiple award-winning author of more t...
2021-12-1428 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief Self-Care with YogaSend us some LOVE!Summary:Self-care is vital when you are grieving. Today we chat with Lizz Ortolani about yoga and its benefits. Whether grief or just every day routines leave you frantic, worried, anxious, yoga can have a calming and cleansing effect and ease physical, mental and emotional issues. Lizz offers her personal experience both as a participant and as a teacher and even helps us find our seat.Episode Notes: Yoga postures are easily modified for those with limited mobility and in-person classes also There are numerous...
2021-12-0733 minAs I Live and Grieve®Sibling Grief, a Personal JourneySend us some LOVE!Summary:The relationship between siblings can often be dynamic and filled with ups and downs. Yet to lose a sibling through death, especially a sudden loss, may lead to unanticipated overwhelming grief that refuses to abate. Listen to our guest, Alyse Oram, as she relates her grief journey that started in 2016 with the loss of a childhood friend, then her younger brother six months later. Episode Notes: While Alyse processed her loss, she became aware of the limited resources available to sibling loss specifically and...
2021-11-3029 minAs I Live and Grieve®Life After Losses, Twice Widowed - with James LaVeckSend us some LOVE!Summary:Losing a spouse is devastating, losing two is, for many, incomprehensible. Shifting roles in parenting, maintaining routine for your children, and moving through grief is shared candidly by our guest today, James LaVeck. Episode Notes:James LaVeck was widowed twice before he was 48. He first started writing about his loss and grief in 1997, but it was the death of his second husband in 2014 that prompted him to finally tell his story in Life After Losses. What started as a cathartic experience toward healing has e...
2021-11-2332 minAs I Live and Grieve®Infant Loss from a Young Priest's PerspectiveSend us some LOVE!Summary:It is routine for a priest to face grief within their congregation, yet quite another to face the devastating grief that comes with the loss of ones own child, an infant. Today we chat with Rev. Liz Tichenor, author of The Night Lake, a chronicle of her personal journey with grief upon the loss of her five -week-old son.Episode Notes:Liz Tichenor is an Episcopal priest, serving as rector at the Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Pleasant Hill, California. She and her husband...
2021-11-1637 minAs I Live and Grieve®Messages from our Furry Friends, and MORE, with Rob GutroSend us some LOVE!Summary:It can often seem more crushing to lose a beloved family pet than we would think. Rob Gutro helps us better understand why the loss of a furry child is so devastating - and, offers us a solution to touch base with them on the other side of what many call the Rainbow Bridge. Episode Notes:Rob Gutro is an author, paranormal investigator and medium with Inspired Ghost Tracking of Maryland. He's become known as a pet medium though he communicates with both pets and people who have passed...
2021-11-0934 minAs I Live and Grieve®Dia de los Muertos is NOT Mexican HalloweenSend us some LOVE!Summary:Many people believe the Dia de los Muertos holiday is simply a Halloween celebration with Latin flare. It is, however, a holiday and celebration in its own right. Dia de los Muertos is a multi-day holiday when family and friends gather to pay respects and to remember family and friends who have died. Today's guest, Evelyn D'Agostino, shares her memories of this holiday.Episode Notes:Evelyn is Founder& Treasurer of Grupo Cultural Latinos En Rochester. She was born in Panama in the town of...
2021-11-0232 minAs I Live and Grieve®Spirituality vs. Religion - Is there a Difference?Send us some LOVE!Summary:We often tie our grief to our faith, and frequently to how we were raised as children. Yet in today's society, it is not uncommon to hear the words, "I am not religious." It may be that "I am not religious" merely equates to "I don't go to (or belong to) a church," because it seems these same people still cling to some type of belief in a higher power, or higher influence. Rev. Jennifer Green returns as our guest to help us understand what the difference, if any...
2021-10-2631 minAs I Live and Grieve®Self Care for Those Who Grieve, with Paula BeckerSend us some LOVE!Summary:A critical aspect of your grief journey is self-care. In your despair and exhaustion we often overlook the simpler items and sometimes sacrifice our own well-being. We may turn to books only to be overwhelmed with the volume of words, thoughts and number of pages. Paula Becker is our guest today and has written just the book you, and everyone who has suffered a loss, needs to read. Episode Notes:A Little Book of Self-Care for Those Who Grieve is just over 100 pages, with...
2021-10-1938 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief Traditions from the Victorian Era, with Kathryn Murano-SantosSend us some LOVE!Summary:In bygone days, grief was displayed for all to see, and sex was never discussed publicly or even comfortably. How things have changed! Listen in as Kathryn Murano-Santos discusses some old traditions.Episode Notes:From hair jewelry to other traditions, we gain some insight into bereavement traditions from past ages. Kathryn Murano-Santos is Senior Director of Collections and Exhibitions, Rochester Museum & Science Center in Rochester, NY. Her studies concentrated on anthropology and cultural anthropology became her main interest. She received her Master of Philosophy...
2021-10-1235 minAs I Live and Grieve®The New Face of Grief, with Katie RosslerSend us some LOVE!Summary:Grief is most frequently linked with death, but really describes many situations: divorce, loss of a job, loss of lifestyle, geographical moves with loss of familiar community and friends. Yet we rarely take the time to consider these circumstances as ones that make us grieve. This type of grief is tagged disenfranchised grief and, for Katie, hidden grief. Listen in as we discuss hidden grief and the transformation that occurs throughout our grief journey.Episode Notes:Katie is a transformative grief guide and licensed c...
2021-10-0531 minAs I Live and Grieve®Psychic Medium Returns - Messages from the Departed, with Ada May BrownSend us some LOVE!Summary:Psychic medium Ada May Brown returns today to offer a bit more insight into how a psychic medium might help us receive and interpret messages from our departed loved ones.Episode Notes:Ada has been a professional Psychic Medium for over a decade and a half working with individuals both in the United States and abroad. Having been highly intuitive all of her life, it wasn’t until her mid-thirties that one of those little life altering moments happened and she realized what her abi...
2021-09-2838 minAs I Live and Grieve®Suicide Among Military VeteransSend us some LOVE!Summary:Suicide among our military's veterans is 1.5 times the national average for civilians, increased from previous years according to statistics. Listen in as Amy Rodrigues (Clinical Psychologist) and Mary Ellen Kesel (Clinical Social Worker) offer insight on this topic. September is Suicide Prevention Month and our guests provide resources available as well as suggestions for identifying someone who may be in need of assistance.Episode Notes:Vet Centers are small, non-medical, counseling centers conveniently located in your community. They're staffed by highly trained counselors and...
2021-09-2138 minAs I Live and Grieve®Journal Your Way Through Grief, with Latisha PorterSend us some LOVE!Summary:Often the first suggestion for someone grieving is to start journaling. For most people, journaling equals writing, and this suggestion is met with resistance at the thought of writing. Perhaps it might be helpful to consider journaling as a conversation with yourself, merely putting your thoughts and memories into words written down. Join us today as Latisha Porter offers support and suggestions to help you do just that. Bio:Latisha Porter is a writer, blogger, and advocate for inspiring others to overcome life’s ob...
2021-09-1428 minAs I Live and Grieve®End of Life Discussions, with Nancy LightSend us some LOVE!Summary:Nancy Light returns after her episode of Caregivers Grief and broaches the serious topic of End of Life Discussions. The topics for these discussions can range from necessary paperwork to very specific choices for the time of passing. Most have heard of Health Care Proxy, Living Will and other forms needed by hospitals or nursing homes. Nancy shares is wisdom of having other details decided ahead of time to avoid conflict and indecision.Episode Details:Everyone wants the last moments of life to be...
2021-09-0734 minAs I Live and Grieve®Psychic Medium - Spirits, Guides and AngelsSend us some LOVE!Summary:Do you believe we can communicate with those we have lost? Can they send messages? And do we need a medium to be the connection for this communication? Psychic medium Ada May Brown visits with us today to shed some light on this mystifying ability and talent. Tune in to hear what she has to say.Episode Notes:Ada has been a professional Psychic Medium for over a decade and a half working with individuals both in the United States and abroad. Having been h...
2021-08-3139 minAs I Live and Grieve®Surviving Suicide Loss, with Rita SchulteSend us some LOVE!Summary:Complicated Grief has been a topic in previous episodes. Join us today as we hear from Rita Schulte, author of Surviving Suicide Loss Making Your Way Beyond the Ruins, who not only had to endure grief after the suicide of her husband, but was also the person who found his body in their home. In using the word "Ruins" in her title, she captures the devastation of this horrendous discovery and her journey through grief afterward.Episode Notes:In her w...
2021-08-2436 minAs I Live and Grieve®Coping Mechanisms - A Personal StorySend us some LOVE!Summary:Personal stories touch us in many ways. Sometimes they help us feel we have gracefully avoided issues, and other times they help us realize we are not alone, nor crazy, nor odd. Hermès relates his journey through grief due both to loss of someone by death and also a devastating loss through a broken relationship. Episode Notes:Today’s guest, Hermès Auslander, is not your stereotypical griever. His words are selected carefully, his emotions controlled as he relates his story. It is his...
2021-08-1737 minAs I Live and Grieve®Five Things to Say to Grieving RelativesSend us some LOVE!Summary:We have all experienced that lump in our throat as we attend calling hours or a funeral. The lump you get when you know you should say something, as silence is awkward and uncomfortable. Andre Roupp, funeral director and supervisor at Roupp Funeral Home in Mifflinburg, PA. Andre offers his thoughts for words that are sincere and appropriate. Episode Notes:Andre is well-established in his community and has been in service to Mifflinburg for nearly 15 years at his funeral home. He has heard many...
2021-08-1026 minAs I Live and Grieve®Anticipatory Grief - You're Not a BurdenSend us some LOVE!Summary:When your partner is given a diagnosis of terminal illness, your grief journey starts. You may move through your days providing care for your loved one, driving them to a myriad of appointments and treatments or back and forth from the hospital. As you lose your own identity, your routine, you tend to focus on the things you can do something about. Providing care, updating friends and family and spending every available precious minute with your loved one, knowing that in an undetermined, but finite period of time, you...
2021-08-0324 minAs I Live and Grieve®When a Couple GrievesSend us some LOVE!Summary:When a couple is grieving the same loss at the same time, things can get complicated. We already now grief is different for everyone - and this fact can change the dynamics substantially. Today, Dan and Nancy Loeffler share their story, including how they each handled their own grief, and then the dynamics of being a couple.Episode Notes:Dan and Nancy Loeffler are the founders of Being With Grief. As parents who lost their 17-year-old daughter, Leah, in a car accident in November...
2021-07-2733 minAs I Live and Grieve®The Grief Guidebook, with Gary RoeSend us some LOVE!Summary:Wouldn't it be nice if there was a book we could turn to with answers to our deepest feelings, fears and emotions of grief? Let me re-introduce Gary Roe, whose book, The Grief Guidebook: Common Questions, Compassionate Answers, Practical Suggestions (Good Grief Series) has just hit the shelves of your favorite bookstores. Join us today as Gary introduces us to his newest book of 71 common questions about grieving. Episode Notes:Gary Roe is the multiple award-winning author of more than a dozen books including C...
2021-07-2036 minAs I Live and Grieve®Caregivers' GriefSend us some LOVE!Summary:Caregivers are unique in that they give everything they have to care for someone in need. Some provide care for loved ones, some provide care as a career and yet others provide care out of a passion to serve. They are all subject to overloading their lives and burning out so the rest of us need to be aware of this and how we might help them to help us. Join us as Nancy Light shares her experience both as a caregiver and as an employer of caregivers.
2021-07-1334 minAs I Live and Grieve®Trauma-Related Grief - It's ComplicatedSend us some LOVE!Summary:Trauma-related grief is far more than our initial concept of grief. In addition to the devastation that accompanies the death of a loved one, situations are added that can include litigation, PTSD, media attention, face to face encounters with a perpetrator - a myriad of issues we cannot even imagine. Sharon Willow helps us better understand the complexities that result from trauma-related grief.Episode Notes:We've all seen and heard the news. It's full of murder on the streets, school shootings, natural disasters and ev...
2021-07-0633 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief After a Violent DeathSend us some LOVE!IN MEMORY OF CHRISTOPHER JONESSummary:Grief is devastating in and of itself. Imagine though losing a loved one through violence - violence on the streets, in your own neighborhood, across the street from your own house, while you watch helplessly. Sirena Cotton relives that today in our conversation.Episode Notes:Sirena Cotton's strength is evident in our conversation. Though this traumatic death of her son was years ago it remains vivid in her memories. Sirena has moved through her grief...
2021-06-2925 minAs I Live and Grieve®The Energy Alignment Method, with Karen ShawSend us some LOVE!Summary:UK's Karen Shaw shares the Energy Alignment Method (EAM) with us as a way to help control emotions, shape our responses to situations and use our positive energies for a better life. Whether assisting us in move forward more comfortably through our grief or merely to allow ourselves to move toward a happier and more fulfilling life, EAM may be your solution to live your truth.Episode Notes:EAM seems to have far more followers in the UK than in the States, so don't...
2021-06-2237 minAs I Live and Grieve®Managing Grief, with Eleanor Ward (Bigger Fish to Fry Coaching)Send us some LOVE!SummaryJoin us as Eleanor Ward helps us understand how we can start to manage our Grief, instead of remaining in a "stuck state."Episode Notes:Sometimes we feel we just can't move on, but Eleanor's response to that is that we already have, though may be a bit stuck at the moment. She helps us identify triggers that may have caused this and aids us in knowing what we might do to get past it. Eleanor has battled grief, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, continuous...
2021-06-1531 minAs I Live and Grieve®Survivor's Guilt (Part 3 of 3) - Veterans Benefits/Advanced PlanningSend us some LOVE!Summary:In this final episode, we want to suggest veterans lessen the burden for their loved ones who will make arrangements after their death, by considering some advance planning. Matthew Marini, Advance Funeral Planning Director for Dignity Memorial, informs us of some of the benefits that may be available -- as well as the key document to show eligibility, the DD-214.Episode Notes:Veterans are usually reluctant to discuss their experiences in military service, especially combat related. Many have avoided interaction with government organizations, like t...
2021-06-0834 minAs I Live and Grieve®Survivor's Guilt (Part 2 of 3) - Veterans' VoicesSend us some LOVE!Summary:"Daily," is the response to our question, "How often do you think of them?" We are, of course, referring to the countless men and women who served in our military and never returned home. Memorial Day isn't just a long weekend, picnics and parades. For our veterans it is an official reminder of their comrades killed while serving, or those who returned but succumbed later to an injury or illness acquired while serving. Today we hear from three veterans the impact survivor's guilt has and has had o...
2021-05-3147 minAs I Live and Grieve®Survivor's Guilt (Part 1 of 3) - Veterans & Memorial DaySend us some LOVE!Summary:In the Part 1 of this series, Dr. A. Peter Ziarnowski defines Survivors Guilt and offers insight on its connection to and impact on our military. In Part 2 of this series, we will hear personally from three veterans how they continue to cope with memories of their comrades who died while on active duty.Part 3 touches on the benefits made available to family members on the death of their veteran, and how veterans can help minimize the burden of funeral decisions for their family members.
2021-05-2536 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief Dreams, with Dr. Joshua Black, Ph.D.Send us some LOVE!SummaryDo you dream of your loved one in your grief? Are you troubled by those dreams, or do they comfort you? Join us today as Dr. Joshua Black, Ph. D., describes his own investigation of bereavement dreams. There is very little academic research on this topic, so we are certain you will find this discussion enlightening.Episode Notes: Dr. Joshua Black is a grief researcher, speaker, author, consultant, online course instructor, and host of the Grief Dreams Podcast. He has focused all of his...
2021-05-1836 minAs I Live and Grieve®Signs May Ease Your Grief, with Brian SmithSend us some LOVE!SummaryDedicated to Shayna Elizabeth Our guest today is Brian Smith. Brian knows grief as his daughter, Shayna, passed away unexpectedly in her sleep at the age of 15-1/2. This led him on a spiritual quest which has made him an amazing resource on the subject of death. Today he helps us understand how to recognize signs left by our departed loved ones and adds that synchronicity of signs can reinforce our beliefs.Episode Notes: Brian's spiritual quest after Shayna's tra...
2021-05-1129 minAs I Live and Grieve®Three Key Ways to Process Grief, with Gary RoeSend us some LOVE!Summary Our guest today is Gary Roe, who shares with us 3 Key Ways to Process Grief. Episode Notes: Gary Roe uses TWA to designate the 3 Key Ways to Process Grief, and adds his personal experience to help others feel supported and a bit more in control. These tasks will help verbalize memories, feelings and regrets and allow you to continue through your grief journey instead of being stuck. Gary Roe is the multiple award-winning author of more than a dozen books inclu...
2021-05-0434 minAs I Live and Grieve®Are You Good to Go?Send us some LOVE!Summary:In our grief we often think of how difficult it was to make decisions about funeral arrangements and other details. In today's episodes we introduce you to a unique concept of preparing your details ahead of time to save your loved ones that burden and stress that will face them after your last breath. Episode Notes:Our guest is Amy Pickard, who her cosmic calling to create an unconventional advance planning company that would help everyone put their affairs in order and document their...
2021-04-2738 minAs I Live and Grieve®Bereavement and Bad Theology - A Toxic Cocktail, with Terri DanielSend us some LOVE!Summary:Renowned author and bereavement celebrity joins us today to discuss what happens when bereavement and theological beliefs collide.Episode Notes:Rev. Dr. Terri Daniel is certified in Death, Dying and Bereavement and is also a Certified Clinical Trauma Specialist, whose life's work is focused on teaching people how to perceive death, grief and loss in a new way. In the last 12 years she has published four books, earned three academic degrees, found a way to reconcile atheism with mysticism, and helped hundreds of people le...
2021-04-2037 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief and Unanswered QuestionsSend us some LOVE!Summary:Some people leave a note to be read after their death and these notes are treasured. Melissa Pennel's mother died unexpectedly and there was no note. As questions came to mind, Melissa compiled them into a book which she published, Questions You'll Wish You Asked: A Time Capsule Journal for Mothers and Daughters. She joins us today to tell us more about this book as well as the soon to be released version for Mothers and Sons.Episode Notes:Questions in her book serve...
2021-04-1332 minAs I Live and Grieve®Empowered Through Grief, with Marie GoudreauSend us some LOVE!Summary:When you lose your life partner to death, the devastation seems endless. If they were ill for a period of time, you may have been their caregiver, their advocate, their entire world - sacrificing yourself bit by bit without realizing it. Such was Marie's experience, which became her reason to become a Grief Coach. Listen to her story and how she helps others whose lives run parallel to her own.Episode Notes:As you start to heal, reality strikes a blow and you may...
2021-04-0629 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief Can Take a Village - Carson's VillageSend us some LOVE!Summary:Jason Dyke started his grief journey traumatically when his 11-year old son died from suicide. He saw the differences in the impact of grief on his wife and other two sons, but when his "bus family" stepped in to help, their support made a tremendous difference for Jason. Carson's Village is a legacy to Jason's son and serves those families devastated by a sudden loss. Jason shares with us today and this is an episode to not miss.Episode Notes:In June 2017, Jason Dyke...
2021-03-3033 minAs I Live and Grieve®The Fox and the Feather, with Kendall LanningSend us some LOVE!Summary:Dealing with the death of a loved one is tough, but having to explain that death to a child is sometimes traumatic for both the adult and the child. Join us today as Kendall Lanning introduces her book, The Fox and the Feather, a children's book for the grieving heart.Episode Notes: Fox and Cardinal are best friends. One day the Cardinal explains that he, “is sick and dying.” Although, the Fox is sad and crying, the Cardinal reminds him to look for signs. Kendall is bo...
2021-03-2335 minAs I Live and Grieve®Anxiety and Grief, with Claire Bidwell Smith (author)Send us some LOVE!Anxiety is the focus of our discussion today with guest Claire Bidwell Smith, author of Anxiety: The Missing Stage of Grief. We can understand anxiety easily in that initial phase of grief with the myriad of activities, tasks and the bustle of visitors, cards and calls. However, anxiety can remain and can also have a more troublesome impact further along in your grief. Claire helps us understand how anxiety plays a part in our grief and how we can allay the effects of this anxiety.Claire Bidwell Smith is...
2021-03-1623 minAs I Live and Grieve®Tap Your Way Through Grief (EFT Tapping), with Amanda FerratSend us some LOVE!Summary:Our guest is Amanda Ferrat, founder of Value Yourself Counseling, returns to offer insight into the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping. This technique is frequently recommended by therapists to help grievers find stabilization and focus, especially during the intense emotions of initial grief. Episode Notes: Today Amanda guides us through a sample of the EFT Tapping. This simple technique combines affirmations with light touch on acupressure points and is most effective when taught by and followed by a Certified EFT practitioner, such as Am...
2021-03-0930 minAs I Live and Grieve®Pet Loss and Grief, with Wendy AndrewSend us some LOVE!Summary:Our pets, regardless of species, often become very near and dear to us with their unconditional love and soulful eyes. The death of that pet can be devastating to the owner, yet not fully understood by other's who have never experienced a similar loss. Wendy helps us understand disenfranchised grief and also speaks about how children respond to the loss of a pet, which is usually their very first experience with death and grief.Episode Notes:Wendy Andrew is founder and owner of The...
2021-02-2826 minAs I Live and Grieve®Could a Life Coach Help With Your Grief?Send us some LOVE!Summary:Today we chat with Stevie Fedele, a Certified Life Coach, who helps us understand how partnering with a Life Coach might prove beneficial if you struggle with your grief, even walking us through a brief exercise she frequently uses with her clients. Episode Notes:There are times in our grief that we feel stuck, not moving forward, and even not caring whether we do or not. It is at these times that loved ones might utter the word ‘therapy’ or suggest you get s...
2021-02-2334 minAs I Live and Grieve®Writing Through GriefSend us some LOVE!Summary:Author Beth Castrodale shares how her grief actually interrupted progress on her novel and what she did to move past this. She offers suggestions for how you might benefit from putting thoughts and feelings in words and writing them down, even if you think you can't write.Episode Notes:Writing can often be cathartic and is frequently suggested by therapists, as well as in bereavement groups. There are additional advantages to writing as sometimes these memories can be shared with other members of the...
2021-02-1631 minAs I Live and Grieve®Rocky the Grief Therapy DogSend us some LOVE!Summary: We are delighted today to learn about Rocky, a goldendoodle who serves at Bartolomeo & Perotto Funeral Home in Rochester, NY. Rocky charmed his owner, Mike Perotto, into speaking with us and we invite you to listen in. Episode Notes:Dogs have an incredible way of breaking through those invisible barriers that hold people back when it comes to comforting those in pain. Much training was involved, but Rocky is often the first to identify the griever most in need of comfort and, will even...
2021-02-0934 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief and Guilt, with Dr. Jackie BlackSend us some LOVE!Summary:Join us as Dr. Jackie Black returns, this time to help us understand how guilt impacts our grieving process. Guilt and shame are not the same - did you know that?Episode Notes:We discuss in detail how guilt and shame differ and how to change your mindset to be able to dissolve that guilt you feel. As we shed light on these terms, we ourselves heal along with you.Dr. Jackie Black helps rekindle relationships with loving, amazing but crazy, busy...
2021-02-0238 minAs I Live and Grieve®The AfterGrief, with Hope EdelmanSend us some LOVE!Bestselling author Hope Edelman discusses her latest book, The AfterGrief, Finding Your Way Along the Long Arc of Loss (pub. Oct. 2020) so we might better understand how grief impacts our lives even years beyond the death of a loved one.Episode Notes:We are becoming more accepting now that grief could feasibly last for the rest of our lives. Hope Edelman offers insight how our grief might change as time passes and how occasional upsurges can occur.HOPE EDELMAN has been writing, speaking, and...
2021-01-2634 minAs I Live and Grieve®Hospice and GriefSend us some LOVE!Summary: Marjorie Smith, LCSW, visits with us today to tell us about Hospice and how this program supports both the terminally ill patient and the family. Episode Notes:After a brief history of Hospice, we learn the various components of this end of life care program and can better understand how it can impact grief by preparing family and supporting them after the death of their loved one. Hospice incorporates holistic practices and a diverse care team to provide dignity and better quality of l...
2021-01-1932 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief - It's Not Just About DeathSend us some LOVE!Summary:Today’s chat is with The Feelings Guy™, Archie Messersmith-Bunting, who helps us understand that everyone grieves and that grief is the reaction to a loss, whether related to the death of a loved one or to the death of our dreams. Episode Notes:COVID has impacted everyone. We have lost our routines and most of our social enjoyment, though we have adapted as necessary to restrictions. Still, when someone asks how we are, “fine” is the popular response. We are not “fine.” We are grievi...
2021-01-1226 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief Shatters Us, Yet We Are More Beautiful (Kintsugi Perspective)Send us some LOVE!Summary Our guest today is Melissa Pierce, author of Filled With Gold: A Widow’s Story (written with Christine Fadden). Episode Notes: Melissa chats about the importance of self-care and advocates being your own best friend while grieving. She believes the brokenness of grieving relates to kintsugi, an ancient practice of repairing cracked vessels with a gold adhesive, thus making them whole again, but also far more beautiful. Melissa was widowed overnight at the age of 44 when her husband Dave didn’t wake up...
2021-01-0533 minAs I Live and Grieve®Grief and BeliefSend us some LOVE!Summary:Join us today as we discuss how various beliefs can impact the grief process, especially as plans are being made for funeral or other memorial events. Episode Notes:Belief in God, higher power or non-belief is an individual choice and really makes little difference in our personal grief journeys. However, when people come together immediately after a death to plan a funeral or other event to memorialize or celebrate the deceased, differing individual beliefs can pose a major stressor for all. Rev. Jennifer Green...
2020-12-2939 min