Shows
No Hair, All HeartEmpowering Freedom at the End of LifeHost Mookie Spitz welcomes Mandi Zucker, Executive Director of End of Life Choices New York, for an open conversation about something we and our families all face, the end of life. Together, they dive into how the American healthcare system traditionally handles dying, and why so many families are left feeling powerless, overwhelmed, and heartbroken — until now.Mandi shares her organization's mission to advocate, educate, and expand choices for those nearing life's end, including championing legislation like medical aid in dying in New York — currently legal in ten states and D.C. With honesty, compassion, and empathy, Mook...
2025-04-2546 min
The Pre-ReadESG in 2025: Turning Complexity into OpportunityESG Talk hosts Mandi McReynolds, Steve Soter, Andie Wood, and Alyssa Zucker come together for the season four premiere to reflect on the transformative year of 2024 and discuss the key sustainability, governance, and technological trends shaping 2025. Listen in for actionable insights for turning complexity into opportunity in the year ahead!
2025-01-2430 min
The Pre-ReadHow Practitioners Really Feel About CSRDDuring Climate Week NYC, Workiva released a report with research on how companies are getting ready for the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) and how practitioners feel about it. Dig into the findings in this crossover episode with ESG Talk host Mandi McReynolds, Off the Books host Steve Soter, and Workiva Industry Principals Alyssa Zucker and Esther Toth. Check out the full report.
2024-11-0823 min
The ONS PodcastEpisode 300: AYAs With Cancer: End-of-Life Care Planning“Trying to give them as much autonomy as possible is really important. I always like to ask, ‘Would you like to have a conversation? Do you think that you can handle a conversation about advance care planning?’ Or ‘What you would want someone to do for you if you're not able to speak for yourself?’ They may say no, you know, and we have to respect that too,” Mandi Zucker, LSW, CT, executive director of End of Life Choices New York in New York City, told Jaime Weimer, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BS, AOCNS®, manager of oncology nursing practice at ONS, during a disc...
2024-02-2335 min
Mourning MeetingKate J. Meyer | The Mourning MeetingOn the final show of the season Mandi speaks with Kate Meyer, an Ordained minister and licensed professional counselor. Kate has worked in private practices and in hospice care, she is also the author of faith doesn't erase grief.
Where to Find Us:
www.inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3yIwhAi
Reach out if you want to hear about a specific topic on the podcast or if you want to be a g...
2023-01-0338 minMourning MeetingNatalie Santa Maria | The Mourning MeetingMandi Talks to Natalie Santa Maria, who started a non-profit organization Leaves for Stella to honor her mother and support young adults after their loss. She also discusses the loss of both her parents and how she managed to give back to those going through similar struggles.
To connect with Natalie: www.leavesfromstella.org
INSTAGRAM: @leavesfromstella
LINKEDIN: in-leavesfromstella
TWITTER: leavestella
Where to Find Us:
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te...
2022-12-2039 minMourning MeetingMolly Giorgio | The Mourning MeetingMandi talks to Molly Giorgio, a licensed clinical psychologist. She is a director of Experience Camps, a national no cost program for grieving children. They discuss caring for themselves as they care for others who are grieving.
To connect with Molly Giorgio: molly@experiencecamps.org or www.drmollygiorgio.com.
Where to Find Us:
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3yIwhAi
Reach out if you want to hear a...
2022-12-0625 minMourning MeetingPeter Grumbacher | The Mourning MeetingMandi discusses with Peter Grumbacher, a retired rabbi and public speaker, the trends towards using euphemisms for the word died, and the problems that it can create.
To connect with Rabbi Grumbacher, find him at peterabbit@aol.com.
Where to Find Us:
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3yIwhAi
Reach out if you want to hear about a specific topic on the podcast or if you want...
2022-11-1532 minMourning MeetingKaren McMahon | The Mourning MeetingMandi talks to Karen McMahon a certified relationship, divorce coach and founder of journey beyond divorce. We are going to talk about the impact of divorce on college students and when the right time, if there is such a thing, for when a divorce should happen.
To connect with Karen, find her at www.jdddivorcesupport.com or on Facebook @Journey Beyond Divorce.
Where to Find Us:
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3...
2022-11-0836 minMourning MeetingJoanne Kelly | The Mourning MeetingMandi talks to Joanne Tubbs Kelly, the author of Walking Him Home, Helping My Husband Die With Dignity. Joanne discusses her husbands her terminal illness and the decision they made to end his life on his own terms. Joanne also shares the sudden loss of her son and the difference with grief between a sudden loss and a terminal illness.
To connect with Joanne, find her at www.joannetubbskelly.com
Where to Find Us:
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
AP...
2022-11-0131 minMourning MeetingDarcy Krause | The Mourning MeetingMandi speaks with Darcy Krause the former Executive Director of Uplift Center for Grieving Children. They explore ways to discuss — with children — the death of someone close to them. They also discuss the ramifications the death of a public figure has with children and the questions that come along with it.
Where to Find Us:
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3yIwhAi
Reach out if you want to hear about a specific topi...
2022-10-1139 min
Mourning MeetingAbby Hennigan | The Mourning MeetingOn this week’s episode of The Mourning Meeting, Mandi talks with Abby Hennigan. They discuss Abby’s story of loss — as a teenager she lost both her parents within a two year span. Abby, who is now 24, tells Mandi how she navigated through high school and college in the shadow of such loss. Abby reveals how familial support bolstered her after her parents’ deaths. They also discuss the importance of peer support. Mandi and Abby describe how her loss, combined with her own inner strength and passion for music, have helped to shape her life and career as a young...
2022-04-1919 minMourning MeetingPost Traumatic Growth | The Mourning MeetingMandi speaks with Susan Angel Miller. Susan is the author of “Permission to Thrive” — a memoir she wrote in the aftermath of the sudden death of her teenage daughter. Mandi and Susan discuss the grief and trauma that can accompany losses of any type. They define post traumatic growth and explain how positive self growth and exploration is possible after great loss. Susan can be reached at www.susanangelmiller.com.
Where to Find Us:
www.inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te...
2022-04-1238 minMourning MeetingCreative Ways to Support Student Mental Health on College Campuses | The Mourning MeetingThis episode focuses on creative ways to support student mental health on college campuses. From marketing and outreach techniques to educating teachers about the shame many students feel when they struggle academically, we need more people who understand the reality of students today. Mandi and Dr. Kimberly Quinn discuss how we can best accommodate, and encourgae the wellness of our students.
Where to Find Us: inner-harbor.org INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3yIwhAi Reach out if you want to hear about a specific...
2022-04-0529 min
Keeping Your Sh*t Together in a Stressed World with Michelle & ScottEpisode 108 - "Let's Be Honest" with featured guest Mandi ZuckerEpisode 108 - "Let's Be Honest" with featured guest Mandi Zucker
We've all heard that "honesty's the best policy." But when it comes to death and dying (let alone relationships) what does that really mean and how can we be honest in such delicate situations (especially when children are involved)? Michelle and Scott welcome featured guest Mandi Zucker to discuss what honesty means, how to use it, and what being more honest about life and death can result in for you.
Mandi can be reached at:
https://www.inner-harbor.org
Keeping Your...
2022-04-0442 minMourning MeetingKimberly Quinn | The Mourning MeetingWhere to Find Us:
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3yIwhAi
Reach out if you want to hear about a specific topic on the podcast or...
2022-03-2929 minMourning MeetingCynthia Whipple | The Mourning MeetingMandi speaks with Cynthia Whipple. Both of Cythia’s parents died — within six weeks of one another — when she was 24 years old. Mandi and Cynthia talk about the experience of loss as a young adult. They explore how loss shapes all aspects of our lives — professionally and socially; from work to relationships. Mandi and Cynthia identify supports and strategies that grieving young adults — and those around them — can employ. As professionals and human beings who have both experienced loss as young adults, Mandi and Cynthia explain why "we have an obligation to be the person we needed." If you want to learn mor...
2022-03-0825 minMourning MeetingThe Connection Between Grief and Shame | The Mourning MeetingMandi talks with grief educator Connie Palmer, about grief beliefs and the relationship between grief and shame — an important, but often misunderstood and overlooked topic. Through the lens of grief and loss, Mandi and Connie explore how false beliefs, fear and shame intersect and impact, not only our willingness to expose ourselves, but our ability to express ourselves.
Connie Palmer is a licensed clinical social worker who is an experienced teacher, therapist and school counselor with more than 30 years of experience. She is currently a Grief Educator for Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss in NJ and the...
2022-03-0125 minMourning MeetingEating Disorders and Grief | The Mourning MeetingToday, we are going to talk about eating disorders and grief, and how they relate to another. We talk about how eating disorders can bring on feelings of grief, related to our own sense of identity. We also explore how grief can create changes in appetite that can be the beginning of disordered eating. Often, grievers feel some lack of control, and controlling food intake may be one way to gain a sense of that back. In extreme cases, this control can turn in to severe restrictions of food intake.
To reach out to T...
2022-02-2234 minMourning MeetingThe Art of Grieving| The Mourning MeetingPreston Zeller is an artist who took a year after the sudden death of his brother to paint a picture every day to process and express his grief, including using his brothers ashes in his art. He and Lindsay Lederman, an art therapist from The Art Therapy Project, partnered to make a documentary called The Art of Grieving that highlights the benefits of using art to mourn.
Where to Find Us: inner-harbor.org INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3yIwhAi Reach out if you w...
2022-02-1532 minMourning MeetingEmma Payne & Sarah Khatau | The Mourning MeetingToday on the show, I am interviewing two special guests, Emma Payne and Sarah Khatau. Sara shares what it was like to lose her father as a young adult and what supports continued to help her in the really painful times. One of those supports was Grief Coach, a subscription based grief support texting service. So we also have on the show the Founder of Grief Coach, Emma Payne. Emma shares how she came up with Grief Coach and how it has changed the way we can provide support to anyone.
If you are interested in a...
2022-02-0835 minMourning MeetingSuicide Prevention with Wendy Sefcik | The Mourning MeetingMandi talks with Wendy Sefcik, a mother who lost her child to suicide. They reveal the important strategies we can draw on to help prevent suicide in our friends, family and students. Mandi and Wendy provide valuable insight and resources to the listener about suicide and suicide prevention and how to confront the swell of emotion that accompanies the topic. By normalizing and removing the stigma surrounding the discussion of death and suicide, Mandi and Wendy leave listeners better equipped to support people who may be struggling.
Wendy serves as Chair for the NJ Youth Suicide Prevention...
2022-02-0132 minMourning MeetingCaring for the Caregiver | The Mourning MeetingMelissa Lunardini and Mandi Zucker both founded organizations focused on supporting people after a loss. They are both frequently asked how they maintain their own mental health in such an emotional draining job. In this episode, Mandi and Melissa share some of their own strategies they use to avoid burnout and focus on their own self-care.
Where to Find Us:
Melissa Lunardini, MA, MBA, FT can be reached at www.radicalgrief.org.
Mandi Zucker, LSW, CT can be reached at www.inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
...
2021-12-1441 minMourning MeetingBereavement Policy | The Mourning MeetingJoyal Mulheron and Mairead Peters talk about the efforts to make paid bereavement leave a reality for all Americans, and the current situation that allows for workers, particularly low-wage earners, to be fired for taking a day off of work after a family member dies. Mairead shares what it was like as a college student to lose two family members and the pressures she felt at work and at school to perform and make money. Joyal shares what we can all do to get involved and advocate for employee support after a death.
Where t...
2021-12-0727 minMourning MeetingIt’s Your Funeral | The Mourning MeetingKathy Benjamin is the author of “It’s your Funeral: Plan a Celebration of a Lifetime Before it’s Too Late.” Kathy and Mandi talk about planning your own funeral, when you should start planning your funeral, and how to talk to others about planning theirs. They also explore how making your wishes known is a loving, final gift for family and friends. Kathy and Mandi acquaint the listener with interesting burial practices and talk about different trends and which connects most with young people today. Where to Find Us:
Kathy Benjamin: www.quickbooks.com or www.kathybenjamin.com. inner-harbor.org
INST...
2021-11-2331 minMourning MeetingChallenging Relationships and Challenging Grief| The Mourning MeetingLane Pease Hendricks in the Director Of Programs at Kates Club in Atlanta, Georgia. Mandi and Lane talk about grieving after the death of a complicated relationship. We explore reactions to losses that were conflicted and how friends can support grievers after these kinds of deaths.
Lane Pease Hendricks can be reached at lane.pease@katesclub.org.
Where to Find Us: inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
APPLE PODCASTS: https://apple.co/3yIwhAi Reach out if you want to hear about a specific topic on the podcast or if you want to be a gue...
2021-11-1624 minMourning MeetingGrief and Abortion | The Mourning MeetingAmy is a social worker in rural Pennsylvania who shares her decision to have an abortion as a young adult. We talk about the support she did, and did not, have as she made her decision and the reasons she kept her choice private from so many people. We also talk about the grief she experienced after the abortion and the ways she coped to deal with those feelings.
Where to Find Us:
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_grief_support
SPOTIFY: https://spoti.fi/2T5Q6Te
APPLE PODCASTS: https://ap...
2021-11-0927 minMourning MeetingJenny Lisk: Future Widow | The Mourning MeetingJenny Lisk is an award-winning author and widowed mom. Mandi and Jenny discuss the sudden death of her husband and the ensuing chaos, grief, and stress. They also discuss the importance of honesty and benefit of therapy for grieving individuals. Jenny reveals to Mandi and our listeners the “ah-ha, moment of clarity” that propelled her forward in her life. Jenny Lisk is dedicated to helping widowed parents increase their families well-being. Her book “Future Widow” and her show "The Widowed Parent Podcast” bring much needed resources to widowed parents, helping them feel less lost and alone.
To c...
2021-11-0235 minMourning MeetingSanat Mohapatra | The Mourning MeetingSanat Mohapatra is the creator of "Unmasked" a supportive, anonymous community built for college students, by college students. He is working to erase the stigma surrounding mental health and lower the barriers to accessing emotional support. Mandi and Sanat discuss the benefits of peer counseling, the inspiration and inner workings of Unmasked, and how you can get involved in the revolution that Unmasked is creating for the mental health of college students.
Where to Find Us:
Sanat Mohapatra: Sanat@unmaskedproject.com
inner-harbor.org
INSTAGRAM: @innerharbor_g...
2021-10-2622 minMourning MeetingKrisitna Jones | The Mourning MeetingKristina Jones is an award winning advertising art director turned tech entrepreneur. When Kristina was seven, her father died from cancer and she knew one day she wanted to share her story on how she kept the connection to her dad alive. Throughout the process of writing and editing, "My Forever Guardian" (Myforeverguardian.com), she noticed the immense lack of online support for the millions of grieving children here in the US. She quickly got to work building www.guardianlane.com, a children's mental health platform that is innovating how children access grief counseling. With the use of on-demand...
2021-10-1920 minMourning MeetingGoing to College with a Disability: What you Should KnowAnnie Tulkin is the founder of Accessible College, an organization dedicated to supporting students with all abilities have access to college. In this episode, we talk about why students need to learn to advocate for themselves differently in college, and how to do that. We discuss ways to find out what accommodations are available at each college and ways to distinguish quality disability services at each school. We also talk specifically about grieving college students, who are not disabled but may need some accommodations or accommodations for some time. Annie and I also explore what to think about when...
2021-10-1236 minMourning MeetingMental Health and the College AthleteEric Kussin founded a nonprofit, We Are All a Little Crazy, after his own struggles with mental illness. His focus is on the mental health of college athletes because he noticed the unique challenges of mental fitness as an athlete, as well as the significant pressure on these students to perform. Eric's goal is to normalize the fact that we all have varying degrees of mental health, and illness, throughout our lives.
To contact Eric, reach out at to him at eric@sameheregolbal.org.
2021-10-0539 min
The LEGAL ONE PodcastHow to Support Staff After a LossClick here to view resources discussed in this episodePresenters: David Nash, Esq., LEGAL ONE Director; Mandi Zucker, Founder and President at Inner Harbor and Certified Grief Recovery Specialist.Dealing with the loss of a loved one can be a devastating experience. For school staff members who spend so much of their time focused on supporting the needs of students, it is critical that school districts have in place strong support systems to support those staff when they suffer a personal loss. In this episode, listeners will hear key strategies for supporting their colleagues and ad...
2021-10-0426 minMourning MeetingWho's Cis? Not my kid!Bob Filippone is a father of three children, one of whom is transgender. His child, Glori Dei, was on the podcast last season and there was a lot of interest from people about their parents and what it was like to find out that their child is noon-binary. Bob has graciously agreed to be on the show to talk about it.
A note about pronouns: Glori Dei uses they/them pronouns and Bob talks about them using that pronoun.
If you are interested in speaking further to Bob about his experience, you ca...
2021-09-2835 minMourning MeetingSonjachardé MixonSonjacharde experienced a significant amount of trauma as a child. As a result of these experiences, Sonjacharde had a difficult time in college developing and maintaining relationships. In this episode, we talk about Sonjacharde's understanding of her behavior as a young adult and how she began to work on her own self-worth and self-love.
2021-09-2136 minMourning MeetingGrief Hungry with Laura MadaioLaura Madaio started an Instagram account, Grief Hungry, shortly after her father died. We talk about the account and why food is such an important part of grief.
2021-09-1443 minMourning MeetingOn the Return of Students in In-Person LearningOur final episode of the season will focus on how educators can best support students returning to the classroom. Many students have experienced some significant losses over the past year and will be returning to school different and in need of additional resources. Perhaps they had COVID, or had a family member who had it. Perhaps they had a significant death loss, either from the virus or from another illness, suicide or accident. Perhaps they have been affected by violence, or the images of violence, against Black or Asian Americans which has made leaving their home scarier for them...
2021-06-1618 min
Keeping Your Sh*t Together in a Stressed World with Michelle & ScottEpisode 65 - GUEST: Mandi Zucker discusses "Returning to School in a Post-Pandemic World"Episode 65 - Returning to School in a Post-Pandemic World
In this episode, Michelle and Scott welcome special guest, Mandi Zucker. Mandi is the founder of Inner Harbor. We talk about the stress and grief that children are experiencing and how both of those negatively impact the learning environment. We even provide some stress-relief tips for you parents and educators.
Mandi can be reached at:
https://www.inner-harbor.org
Keeping Your Sh*t Together in a Stressed World is a podcast hosted by Michelle Post, MA, LMFT and Scott Grossberg, Esq., CLC...
2021-06-0758 min
Feed That NationCollege Drinking Culture And Alcohol Safety Advice For Students | Feed That NationWhat is college drinking culture? In this episode, I'm talking about the culture around alcohol and drinking on college campuses, the pros (yes, there are pros!) and cons to drinking in college, and ways for college students to keep themselves safe if they choose to imbibe.
Mentioned in this episode:
Safety Advice From Your Mom Friends: https://youtu.be/8VJpbl9lxOc
Pandemic Grief with Mandi Zucker: https://youtu.be/UsOJk-nV-B0
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Help: https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline
Other resources...
2021-05-1625 minMourning MeetingBeing Transgender in CollegeGlori Dei Filippone (they/them) is a recent graduate of New York University. They realized that they were trans in college and we talk about how they came to that understanding and what it was like to tell family and friends. We also talk about the relief they experienced when they realized who they are, but also the sense of loss and pain that this realization brought with it. Glori Dei explains some of the misconceptions about gender identity and helps us to understand the process involved, both internally as well as externally.
To reach out to...
2021-05-0434 minMourning MeetingWhat is a Psychic Medium and Why would a College Student see one?Lindsay Marino had just graduated college and started her first job as a teacher when her boyfriend died suddenly in a motorcycle crash. It was through her grief that she realized that she can still connect with Nick to continue her relationship with him even though he isn't here physically. Lindsay shares her story and how others can connect with people who have died (and she does believe that we all can do this!).
Lindsay is an international psychic medium, podcast host and co-author of the #1 Amazon best seller, 365 Days of Angel Prayers. To l...
2021-04-2743 minMourning MeetingGoing to College after the Loss of Two ParentsAlana's parents both died before she was in high school. She then moved in with her aunt in a new state and, once again, learned to make new friends in a new school. In this episode of the podcast, we talk about transitioning to college and what it was like to once again meet new people in an unfamiliar environment. Did that bring up feelings of loss? Did she get support? How did she then manage another transition to remote learning after the pandemic began?
Alana is a sophomore at Virginia State University studying math and psychology.
2021-04-2031 minMourning MeetingExperiencing Murder and Attempted Murder as a TeenMegan Ashley was only 18 when she witnessed the murder of her mother and survived her own attempted murder. A student in college at the time, Megan struggled to cope with the trauma and grief of that night, both physical and emotional. She now shares her story in the hopes of helping someone else going through trauma know that they can get through this and thrive. Megan shares about the supports she did and did not receive, as well as some of the things she has learned that may be useful to others going through violent deaths.
Megan...
2021-04-1338 minMourning MeetingWhy organ donation is such an important discussion for young peopleAccidents are the leading cause of death for people under 24 years old. The nature of accidents often means that young people are best suited for organ donation because dying in an accident creates a possible scenario that someone's organ are healthy enough and are able to be artificially kept alive long enough to be donated to someone else. So how do you make sure your wishes are known if you want, or don't want, to be a donor? Is checking a box enough? This week, I speak with Michelle Post, MA, LMFT about organ donation and how to start con...
2021-04-0637 minMourning MeetingFinding the Right Emotional Fit for CollegeMany families begin to think about college before high school even begins. What major do you want to study? Should you take the SAT or ACT? What extracurricular activities will show your leadership skills to make you more desirable to a specific school? All of these things are important when considering the right academic fit for a student. But how do you measure the right emotional fit at a college or university? How do you make sure that a grieving student will be prepared for the transition to college? How do you know if a particular school will have...
2021-03-3035 minMourning MeetingYour Relationship with Food when you are GrievingGrieving college students often need comfort. Away from home and familial support systems, food can become that support for some. And for others, food feels like too much work when energy and motivation are low. In this episode, we explore the ways that food can comfort us when we are grieving, and also the ways that food can help with some grief symptoms like sleepiness, memory loss and lack of focus. We also explore ways to engage with food when we don't feel the motivation to eat.
Natalie Nation, she/her, is a graduate student, future registered...
2021-03-2329 minMourning MeetingJust breath: Posturing and Breathing to Release Grief and TraumaApparently, we've been doing it all wrong! Sticking out our chests and sucking in our gut may actually impede the grief process! This week, I speak with Dr. Amy Novotny about the PABR method, which stands for Pain, Awareness, Breathing, Relief. She takes us through a series of breathing and posturing techniques that allows our bodies to relax and release tension. You can listen to the episode and practice along with us as she takes us through the basics.
If you would like more information, reach out to Dr. Novotny at amy@pabrinstitute.com.
2021-03-1638 minMourning MeetingInner Harbor: What I do and Why I do itToday, I am the guest on my own show! Shilpa Panchmatia, a business executive coach in England, interviews me about why I started Inner harbor, what services we provide, and why I think it's so important. So many people ask about the work I do and this episode explains so much! Take a listen and then contact me for more information about support, education or retreats.
I can be reached at: mzucker@inner-harbor.org or 908-292-8039. The website is www.inner-harbor.org. You can sign up for the weekly newsletter there!
2021-03-0928 minMourning MeetingA Family Cancer Journey: From Diagnosis to Death to Living AgainOn April 16, 2009, Kim Hamer watched her 44-yr-old husband take his last breath. Their children were 12, 9, and 7 at the time. While her husband had cancer and after he died, they were amazed and humbled by the creative and thoughtful ways their friends, family, and co-workers supported them. Kim started calling these kind actions “acts of love.”
Wanting to show others how simple and impactful acts of love are, Kim wrote 100 Acts of Love: A Girlfriend's Guide to Loving Your Friend through Cancer or Loss and launched 100ActsofLove.com. Kim helps companies and individuals act with confidence when cancer strike...
2021-03-0240 minMourning MeetingSOAR and Restore: One way that Penn State University is Addressing Student Mental HealthAll students have been impacted in some way from this pandemic. Most people associated with a college or university want to address the needs of both faculty and students, but innovation is hard! Well, meet Taylor Young, a senior at Penn State and the President of the College of Education Undergraduate Student Council. Learn how she, along with her peers, listened to the needs of students in her college and then created an original program to address these needs. This program can be duplicated in other schools so if you are looking for ideas about how to meet the...
2021-02-2329 minMourning MeetingReading, Writing and Staying Alive: Life-Threatening Illnesses in CollegeBrianne Leeson is an artist, writer, and small business owner from Dallas, Texas. She’s also the creator of the scripted comedy podcast, Today’s Lucky Winner. She joins Mandi on the podcast to talk about a life-threatening illness she experienced in college. The experience left her grieving for the college experience she expected to have and disappointed in some of the support she received afterwards. She also talks about the trauma of not being taken seriously as a young woman in the hospital and what that did to her relationship with medical professionals.
If you would like to reach out...
2021-02-1636 min
Today’s Lucky WinnerSweet God, Not My Cloaca!Send us a text The Oxford Dictionary defines the cloaca as “ A common cavity at the end of the digestive tract for the release of both excretory and genital products in vertebrates (except most mammals) and certain invertebrates. Specifically, the cloaca is present in birds, reptiles, amphibians, most fish, and monotremes.” Now that we have the important stuff out of the way: The gals are back in the 21st century! What did they change? What does this new timeline look like? Rita is concerned as to whether or not the Baja Blast still exists. A new and...
2021-02-1537 minMourning MeetingBirdsongs and Burnings: Death as an American IndianThis episode highlights some of the rituals and beliefs of certain American Indian tribes as told by Beccah O'Brien. Beccah lost her sister and father as a teen and young adult. Beccah graciously shares some of the little-known traditions of American Indians and explains the beliefs about death in this culture. She talks about what it was like to lose these most important people and how her culture provided both gifts and challenges for her. Beccah can be reached at Beccah.obrien@gmail.com.
2021-02-0934 minMourning MeetingJewish Traditions regarding DeathToday's conversation is with Rebekah Saltzman, an organization expert who has recently written a book about organizing in a Jewish tradition for all of life's major milestones and events. Inspired by her mom after her death, Rebekah's original goal was to make sure all mourners (in the Jewish tradition, a "mourner" is either a parent, sibling or child of the deceased) understood the rituals and laws regarding mourning. She does not claim to be a scholar or rabbi, but she offers advice as a person who has recently lost her mother. She wishes a guide like this was available...
2021-02-0233 minMourning MeetingLet's Talk Taboo... Death and SexThis week, I speak with Leah Carey, a Sex and Intimacy Coach and host of the podcast Good Girls Talk about Sex. We talk about some of the issues college students are currently having regarding staying connected others, both emotionally and physically. We explore ways to get physical touch needs met in the middle of a pandemic as well as COVID-safe (or COVID-safer) sex practices. We also talk about grief and libido and we explore the changes to libido after a death experience.
For more information or to reach out to Leah, you can find her at www.leahcarey.com...
2021-01-2636 min
One Day You'll Thank Me29 - Guest Expert: Mandi Zucker, Grief Recovery Specialist, Supporting Grieving TeensHost: Dr. Tara EganCo-host: Anna, teen daughterGuest Expert: Mandi Zucker, Grief Recovery SpecialistToday we welcome a fantastic guest, her name is Mandi Zucker and she is a Grief Recovery Specialist. Mandi is a former school social worker, the founder of Inner Harbor (a supportive program for grieving students) , and the host of a podcast called "The Mourning Meeting", for college students that have experienced loss.Mandi is here today to discuss supporting grieving teens. Many people often think of grief as what one goes through after a death, but how M...
2021-01-2056 minMourning MeetingStudent Behavior: Good, Bad or Grief?This week, I talk with Ian Wolf, the Coordinator of Student Conduct and a case manager for the Behavioral Intervention Team at Bergen County College in New Jersey. We talk about behavior as a means of communication and how we often look at behavior as good or bad, appropriate or inappropriate. Sometimes we forget that behavior is a function of our feelings and environments and if we take a deeper dive into that behavior we may find the need for support instead of discipline or punishment. We also talk about the struggles of many college students to get the s...
2021-01-1931 minMourning MeetingTMM Season 2 Episode 1: Grief is the Price you Pay for Love... Or Is It?It's a very common phrase- often used to comfort someone who is in a terrible amount of pain after the death of a loved one. In today's episode, we examine this phrase more closely and consider the consequences of assuming the amount of grief you experience is diectly related to the amont of love you felt for the person that died.
This episode was dedicated to Michael Siminoff and Nicole Pruess from the Retinger family.
For more information, contact Mandi Zucker at mzucker@inner-harbor.org or 908-292-8039.
2021-01-1214 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 21: Holiday Hints for GrieversThis episode explores 10 different ways to include the people that have died into your holiday observances. From gift giving to holidays meals, self care and traditions, we cover it all in a short podcast episode with tons of practical tips to make these holidays less stressful, more inclusive and respectful of your grief. Please reach out to us at mzucker@inner-harbor.org or 908-292-8039 if you are looking for support or education.
As mentioned in the podcast, here is a blessing you may want to include in your holidays:
2020-12-2214 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 20: Jesse Guzik and Rachel Werner talk about Child Life Specialists and how to Talk to children about DiagnosesJesse and Rachel are both Child Life Specialists at The Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey. What is a Child Life Specialist, you may ask? If you don't know, it's likely because you have never had a child in the hospital. But if you have, you have hopefully experienced the benefit of having someone talk to you and your children about their diagnosis. This week on the podcast, we talk about how to explain different diagnoses to children and why the language matters even as they get older. We also talk about how to maintain connection and support du...
2020-12-1541 minMourning MeetingTMM Epsiode 19: Shelby Forsythia, Author and Podcast Host shares about her Loss in College and Exploring her own Grief through BooksShelby Forsythia (she/her) is the author of Your Grief, Your Way and Permission to Grieve and podcast host of Coming Back: Conversations on Life After Loss. Through a combination of practical tools and intuitive guidance, she helps grieving people reclaim their power and peace of mind after devastating loss. Her work has been featured on Huffington Post, Bustle, and The Oprah Magazine. We talk on the podcast about several losses she experienced in college. We explore how the death of her mom shaped her career and how she finally was able to examine the grief that she experienced...
2020-12-0837 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 18: Lisa Gitelson talks about Foster Care and the Transition to CollegeLisa Gitelson was born into a family where everyone did social work/social justice work. She couldn't be prouder of the family that she came from, or more privileged to have grown up in an environment where everyone was able to do this type of work. She started working in child welfare when she was 15 at a summer sleep away camp for children with behavioral special needs. Once she did that, she knew that she wanted to spend her career working in child welfare and has been lucky enough to be able to do so. Lisa has worked privately as an...
2020-12-0141 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 17: Elise I. Antoine talks about Surviving after two Suicide AttempsElise I. Antoine holds a master’s degree in social work and has been in a social worker for 15 years. She is a Life Coach and the CEO of Legacy In The Making.
Elise is a woman of God, a mental health advocate and the founder of Rip The Stigma which is a nonprofit organization that encourages individuals with mental health challenges to speak up and share their stories.
Elise has survived two suicide attempts, sexual abuse, self-mutilation and an eating disorder. Through her life experience her goal is to transform her clients' lives by helping them discover their inner con...
2020-11-2435 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 16: Dr. Tara Egan talks about the Effect of Divorce on College-Aged StudentsDr. Egan has a doctorate in school psychology and has specialized training in counseling and family-school relations. She established Charlotte Parent Coaching, LLC in 2011 and has also worked as an adjunct professor in the undergraduate department at two different colleges. She is the author of two books, Better Behavior for Ages 2-10 (Lesson Ladder, 2013) and Adolescence: A Parent's Guide (Rockridge Press, 2020). She co-hosts a podcast called One Day You'll Thank Me with her teenage daughter and works with clients on all sorts of transitions, including divorce.
Dr. Egan is a wife, an ex-wife, a mom and a s...
2020-11-1740 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 15: Renee Lund on the Death of her Mom as a High School SeniorRenee's mom died after a long illness when she was a senior in high school. Soon after that, the pandemic began and grief support changed, both from professional avenues as well as the support she was able to receive from friends. As they all grieved the loss of their senior year, Renee talks about applying and getting accepted to college so soon after her mom died. She also talks about the transition to college and what has been helpful to her since she got to school.
2020-11-1029 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 14: Litsa Williams, Co-Founder of What's Your GriefLitsa Williams MA, LCSW-C is a co-founder of the grief community What’s Your Grief. Litsa received her master's degree in social work from The University of Maryland and has a master’s in Philosophy for The University of Warwick (UK). Litsa has been working in the field of grief and loss for 12 years and previously worked in homeless services in Baltimore, MD. Before founding What’s Your Grief, Litsa supported patients and families in the hospital at end of life in circumstances of unexpected death, and provided ongoing grief and bereavement support in the years following the loss as the d...
2020-11-0342 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 13: Maria Boyes Talks about her Breast Cancer DiagnosisMaria Boyes, a communications professionals and school psychologist, was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer when her sons were in their late teens and her daughter was just 8 years old. She shares what it was like for her, as well as them, when she told them the diagnosis and went through treatment. She also reflects on the possible ways the diagnosis affected her children then and now.
Maria can be reached at mcboyes@verizon.net if you want to talk to her about her experience, or have questions about your own.
For additional support to talk to your children about a di...
2020-10-2746 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 12: Janet Sarkos talks about Suicide and How to Help Someone you may be Concerned AboutJanet Sarkos is the Executive Director of Caring Contact, a volunteer-staffed community of listeners that provides telephone support to people who are in need, either due to stress or suicidal thoughts. Janet and I talk about how we all can be the support to people in our lives, even if we aren't therapists , when we are worried about someone's mental health. How do you start a conversation with someone if you are concerned? What if you feel like you aren't able to be the support they need? Who can you reach out to for support for yourself and for t...
2020-10-2038 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 11: Dante Peace: Ask Them if They are OKThe popularity of TMM Episode 8 revealed how much people want to hear about Robert Peace. So this week, we interviewed his uncle, Dante, about Robert's life and the lessons Dante learned from his death. Robert Peace was an accomplished student and athlete. He was well liked and had many friends. The fact that his father was in jail for a double murder didn't seem to affect him. Or did it? No one asked. And then he left for college with a full scholarship to Yale. With such an amazing opportunity, no one thought to ask him what it was lik...
2020-10-1337 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 10: Sam Levine and Ethan Cohen- Quarantining at CollegeSam Levine and Ethan Cohen are students at Syracuse University in New York. They are both in quarantine due to being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. We talk about making the decision to attend school in person and how quarantine is being handled on their campus. They talk about what it's like to be alone in a hotel room for two weeks without any in-person human interaction and how their school is supporting them through this, both academically and emotionally.
2020-10-0638 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 9: David Leven on End of Life Discussions with Young PeopleHave you ever considered having "the talk"? No, not that talk! The talk about who you would want to make decisions for you if you were unable to do so. Or what you would want done to you if you were in an accident or had an injury and were no longer able to communicate? Although we hope to live very long lives and not need these conversations for a long time, the reality is that accidents are the leading cause of death for people up to 24 years old. Accidents may not always be deadly but can leave a p...
2020-09-2946 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 8: NY Times Best Selling Author Jeff Hobbs on grief that accompanies the end of high schoolHigh school graduation is often thought of as a celebration. As it should be, of course- it is quite an accomplishment for many students to finish high school. But when we focus solely on the celebratory aspects of this milestone, we often don't leave space to discuss the grief that comes with leaving a familiar place with consistency of schedules, expectations, and friends. Going to college brings many adventures but also brings space between relationships and changes in routine, finances and expectations that can trigger intense feelings of grief. Show Them You're Good, Mr. Hobbs' latest book, highlights the...
2020-09-2236 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 7: Michael Hebb, Founder of Death Over Dinner and EOL.CommunityMichael and I spend some time talking about how to create spaces to have conversations about death, even with young people. He shares his story about some painful childhood experiences he went through that propelled him into this work and how he believes that the kitchen table can be a transformative space to have difficult conversations. He shares techniques, including the way we invite people to this conversation, that make it more possible for people to talk about death. He also shares his new venture, EOL.community, which he describes as an "itinerary" for death, not leaving anything up fo...
2020-09-1544 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 6: Jacelyn Matthews talks about Racism and Loss in CollegeJacelyn Matthews, MA, EdM, talks about her first personal awareness of racial discrimination, which happened to occur in her freshman English class in college. She reflects on how that experience was a loss of innocence and a loss of her own voice. In fact, it was also a loss of college itself as she ended up transferring when she realized that she was not going to be heard in that environment. We talk about her becoming more aware of the injustices that occur regularly and what both white people and people of color can do when they experience or witness r...
2020-09-0834 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 5: Michael Hammer on childhood trauma and suicideMichael brings a different perspective about childhood trauma. While many people that experience traumatic events as children are at risk for poor outcomes as adults, Michael's positive outlook protected him from feeling helpless and out of control. Young adults often want to have this same outlook but are not able to achieve it. How did he? We talk about how he thought about his experiences and the way he saw his future.
For more information about Michael, or to contact him about his amazing hot sauce or speaking engagements, reach out to him on Instagram @Hammershighheat.
2020-09-0140 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 4: Jilly Schimer on the Suicide of her Best FriendJilly shares the heartbreaking loss of her friend due to suicide. Just as Jilly graduated from high school and was looking forward to her freshman year at The University of Maryland, her world was shaken by the sudden death of her friend. Jilly talks about preparing to go to college while grieving and how she got support once she got there.
If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, please contact The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-274-TALK (8255).
2020-08-2533 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 3: On Abuse and HealingMost of us can probably relate to some risky behavior as a teen. But Michael talks about extremely dangerous behaviors, likely stemming from years of sexual abuse as a child. The loss of safety and security he experienced could have led to an entire lifetime of maladaptive behaviors. However, Michael was able to gain insight and coping tools in college and talks about how the help of a therapist and good friends got him through his teens and early twenties.
2020-08-1828 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 2: A Conversation with Michelle Haar, LCSWMichelle Haar, LCSW is a therapist in private practice in New Jersey. She works with adolescents and adults who have experienced loss, and talked about how her own experiences in high school and college losing two friends and her grandmother within about a year of each other shaped her decision to best support others who are grieving.
Michelle can be reached on Psychology Today or at michelle.k.haar@gmail.com.
2020-08-1137 minMourning MeetingTMM Episode 1: Active Minds recommendations for reopening colleges and universities in light of COVID-19Today, we walk about a recent paper published by Active Minds, a young adult mental health organization. I highlight several recommendations that college campuses can implement when trying to better support students after the trauma and loss associated with COVID-19. To read the entire paper, go to https://www.activeminds.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/COVID-19-Position-Statement.pdf.
2020-08-0418 minMourning MeetingTMM Trailer: Good Mourning!In this first episode, I will introduce myself and the idea behind the podcast, The Mourning Meeting. I will let you know where to find us, and how to reach out if you want a specific topic covered or want to ask to be a guest on the podcast. Hope you will join us!
2020-07-3107 min
Love in the time of Covid19Love in the time of Covid 19 Ep 10This week's conversation wasn't an easy one (I cry) (twice), but it's an important one! Mandi Zucker, social worker specializing in grief recovery after a loss, breaks down the difference between grief and mourning, and shares the two words she believes we should remove from our vocabulary, and I think she's right! Grab a tissue and sit back and listen to our conversation and I do get to share a love letter too!
Send yours to loveinthetimeofcovid19@gmail.com!
Stay well,
Julie
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2020-05-0729 min