Shows
Grieving VoicesEmbracing Change | A Podcast SabbaticalIn this special solo episode, I announce my decision to take a sabbatical from Grieving Voices and reflect on the nature of change, the power of asking "why," and how letting go can create space for new growth. I share my personal journey of questioning the routines and commitments that no longer serve me and the surprising sense of relief and excitement that came with making this decision.Key PointsChange is inevitable and often reveals our true nature and patternsThe connection between grief and the disruption of familiar patternsHow asking "why" questions can help us...
2025-03-1809 min
Grieving VoicesMichelle Vignault | My Quest To Create a New Normal After Sibling and Spouse LossThis week's guest is Michelle Vignault, who opens her heart about the unimaginable journey of losing both her brother to suicide and her husband within just six months. Michelle shares how she was suddenly thrust into solo parenting two daughters, ages 2 and 4 while navigating her own overwhelming grief. With raw honesty, Michelle reveals how writing became her lifeline—beginning as simple notes and evolving into heartfelt letters to her best friend before ultimately becoming her book, "Hold Back the Rain," titled after a meaningful Duran Duran song that resonated with her struggle to withstand life's torrential challenges.
2025-03-111h 30
Grieving VoicesChristina Keys | A Caregiver in Recovery With a Mission in AdvocacyI sit down with Christina Keyes, a remarkable woman who transformed her life from a career-driven professional to a dedicated caregiver of her mother in 2013, after her mother nearly died of a stroke, only six months after the death of her father. Around this same time frame, Christina was also grieving the loss of a dear cousin who was responsible for Christina getting sober. However, the grief doesn't stop there. Christina was also grieving the end of a 17-year relationship as she knew it when her partner suffered a life-altering stroke, which resulted in him having to go into...
2025-03-041h 06
Grieving VoicesDr. Dolores Fazzino | Bridging Intuition & Healing in the Journey Through GriefIn this enlightening episode, I welcome Dr. Dolores Fazzino, a trailblazing thought leader and visionary in the realm of energy healing. With her unique blend of medical intuition and energy expertise, Dr. Fazzino shares her insights on how intuition and trust can facilitate deep healing and transformation, especially in the context of grief.Throughout our conversation, Dr. Fazzino opens up about her personal journey, revealing how her childhood experiences with grief shaped her path toward becoming a renowned nurse practitioner and energy healer. She passionately discusses the body's innate wisdom and how we can tap into our...
2025-02-2550 min
Grieving VoicesReese Zahner | Pain To Poetry: Losing My Mom To Early Onset Alzheimer'sI had the privilege of sitting down with Reese Zahner, a poet and writer who has beautifully transformed her grief journey into a powerful testament of healing and acceptance under the pen name Cleo Childs.Reese opens up about the profound impact of losing her mother to early onset Alzheimer's, a journey that spanned seven years from diagnosis to loss. Through her candid storytelling, Reese shares how she turned to poetry as a means to process her emotions.We delve into the complexities of anticipatory grief and the unique challenges of witnessing a loved one...
2025-02-181h 12
Grieving VoicesEp 233 Erin Whalen | The Anticipatory Grief of My Sister Dying From Cerebral PalsyIn this touching episode, Erin Whalen shares her heartfelt journey of growing up with her beloved sister, Gina, who had cerebral palsy. Through her personal experience of anticipatory grief and loss, Erin found her calling as the founder of Compassionate Coaching, where she now helps end-of-life and bereavement professionals develop essential communication skills. Erin opens up about the profound impact of losing Gina in 2016 and how their unique sister relationship – though different from what many might consider typical – shaped her deep understanding of nonverbal communication and empathy. Erin's story beautifully illustrates how our most challenging life e...
2025-02-111h 23
Grieving VoicesKatie Prentiss | The Slow Goodbye: Mother Loss with Frontotemporal DementiaThis week, I sit down with Katie Prentiss, a filmmaker, actress, and caregiver who transformed her most profound loss into a powerful creative mission. Katie shares her raw and inspiring journey of caring for her mother through frontotemporal dementia (FTD), a challenging form of dementia that impacts personality and communication far differently than traditional memory-loss conditions.At the age of 62, Katie's mother, Maggie, passed away from FTD. Through our conversation, we follow Maggie's transition from caregiver to actress and the filmmaking of her debut film, "Wake Up Maggie," hoping to raise awareness about dementia and caregiving.
2025-02-0454 min
Grieving VoicesSujala Shastry | A Cross-Cultural Story of Childhood Loss, Growth, and Finding Your VoiceIn this soul-stirring episode, we explore the profound journey of Sujala Shastry, who lost her mother to a brain tumor at age 11 in India. Her story illuminates the complex intersection of cultural silence, emotional isolation, and the transformative power of breaking generational patterns around grief.Key Takeaways:The impact of losing a mother in a joint family system that provided physical but not emotional support.How 20 years of survival mode led to disconnection, anxiety, and lost memories.The awakening that came with motherhood and the desire to heal generational trauma.The cultural dynamics of g...
2025-01-2857 min
Grieving VoicesKenisha Brown-Alexander | An Orphaned Adult with Hope For a Brighter TomorrowKenisha Nichelle is a trailblazer in the sports industry and a passionate advocate for individuals navigating the challenging landscape of grief. Kenisha shares her deeply personal journey of overcoming profound losses, including becoming an orphaned only child with the unexpected deaths of both her father and mother, and how she has channeled her experiences into a mission of healing and empowerment.Key Takeaways:Journey of a Child Griever: Kenisha discusses the unique challenges she faced as a child griever, losing her father at the age of 12. She shares how this...
2025-01-2155 min
Grieving VoicesAngela Clement | Love Endures, Even After LossIn this powerful episode, I sat down with Angela Clement, who shared her moving journey of losing her husband Blaine to stage four colon cancer in October 2021 after 35 years together. Their life on their ranch underwent dramatic changes when Blaine fell ill, leading to multiple transitions, including selling their ranch, Angela's early retirement as a school principal, and relocating to be closer to medical care. Through her journey, Angela discovered the transformative power of energy healing, which helped Blaine with his symptoms and became her pathway to healing and her new purpose in life.Angela went on...
2025-01-1448 min
Grieving VoicesJillian Faldmo | Navigating Grief & Loss with Biofield TuningIn this collaborative conversation recorded for our respective podcasts, I sat down with fellow Certified Biofield Tuning Practitioner (and Biofield Tuning Trainer) Jillian Faldmo. We discussed the grief journey, the complex emotions that arise when we experience loss, how grief can manifest differently for each individual, and how our respective paths led each of us to energy healing work. Jillian shares how her early experience with health issues and a feeling of detachment in childhood impacted her longing for connection into adulthood. As we wrapped up our conversation, Jillian and I shared how e...
2025-01-071h 46
Grieving VoicesTakeaways and Reflections From 2024In this week's New Year's Eve episode, I reflect on 2024 as a year of laying the groundwork for future growth. As we look forward to 2025, I want to emphasize themes like introspection and personal development that can help us all prepare for a more balanced and fulfilling year ahead.Reflecting on the past year often brings up negatives, but it's crucial to focus on lessons learned. Inspired by Mel Robbins' podcast episode about conducting yearly audits, I plan to engage with her seven-question exercise myself. This process encourages thinking about what we want to feel in 2025—like in...
2024-12-3123 min
Grieving VoicesGet Out of Your Own Way in Grief & In LifeOn this Christmas Eve episode, I extend warm, festive greetings to all listeners, no matter how you celebrate. Inspired by my recent newsletter, The Unleash Letters, I reflect on the past year's experiences and energies while looking forward with hope to 2025.I discuss the power of self-reflection as a healing tool—especially for those grieving—and encourage everyone to consider what energies from 2023 they carried into 2024 and how these might impact their future.I've experienced a shift in my beliefs about unseen spiritual support, which has renewed my excitement and inspiration for the future. Trusting ones...
2024-12-2418 min
Grieving VoicesHoliday Grief Series: Why We Need To Look At the PastIn this final episode of the Holiday Grief Series, I explore the power of reflecting on our past, especially when dealing with grief during the holiday season. It's about facing those tough memories head-on, much like a buffalo charges through a storm to find peace faster. By confronting these feelings directly, we gain insight into ourselves and can make better choices for our future.Reflecting on history isn't just personal; it applies to society, too. Understanding past events helps us break negative cycles and create positive change. As we look back at 2024 and beyond, self-awareness becomes key...
2024-12-1716 min
Grieving VoicesHoliday Grief Series: How To Effectively Manage Stress & AnxietyWelcome to the third episode of my Holiday Grief Series! In this episode, I explore the often-overlooked challenges of the holiday season. While this time of year is traditionally filled with joy and celebration, it can also bring about stress and anxiety that lurk beneath the surface.Key Takeaways:Understanding Holiday Stressors: I explore various sources of holiday stress, including family dynamics, social pressures, environmental factors, and financial concerns. Whether you're feeling isolated from loved ones or overwhelmed by family gatherings, you're not alone in your feelings.Dysfunctional Thinking Patterns: Discover...
2024-12-1013 min
Grieving VoicesHoliday Grief Series | Ways To Honor Those We've LostIn Episode 2 of my holiday grief series, I explore the tender journey of honoring lost loved ones during the festive season—a time that often brings a mix of joy and sorrow. As your host, I want to assure you that feeling these emotions is completely normal. Reflecting on my own experiences, I've learned that traditional ways of handling grief—like keeping feelings bottled up or avoiding memories—usually don't bring comfort.One story shared by a podcast guest really resonated with me; she grew up in a warm but emotionally reserved family when it came to grievi...
2024-12-0310 min
Grieving VoicesHoliday Grief Series | How To Deal With EstrangementIn the first episode of a four-part series on holiday grief, I discuss estrangement and its impact during the holiday season. Estrangement, a form of alienation within families, can arise from conflicts over values or unresolved trauma and affects relationships between parents, children, grandparents, siblings, and even extended family members. It often stems from disputes over values, lifestyles, past trauma, or unresolved issues.The holiday season is typically seen as a time for joy and togetherness with loved ones. However, for those experiencing estrangement, it can heighten feelings of loneliness and guilt. Societal pressure to...
2024-11-2608 min
Grieving VoicesChristopher Cochran | What's Good About Today?: A Father's Mission To Honor His Son's LegacyIn this heartfelt episode of Grieving Voices, Chris Cochran shares the inspiring legacy of his late son Christian, who faced terminal cancer with remarkable positivity and resilience. Despite his illness, Christian lived life to its fullest up until his untimely death at the young age of 23—all while asking, "What's good about today?" Christian's spirit continues to inspire through Chris's nonprofit, What's Good About Today?, and the book that bears the same name. Today's episode highlights how Chris and his wife navigated the highs and lows of working diligently to get Christian the best possible care while su...
2024-11-191h 16
Grieving VoicesHelen Gretchen Jones | Signs, Synchronicities, and Spirit Teams: A Guide to Spiritual ConnectionsHelen Gretchen Jones, a death doula and intuitive channeler, shares her inspiring journey into shared death experiences and spiritual consciousness. With a rich background in art history, theology, sound therapy, Reiki, hypnosis, and past-life regressions, Helen now dedicates herself to supporting the dying and those they love in life and after death. The innate gift of connecting with those who have crossed over has profoundly shaped her understanding of life and death, despite those around her not nurturing her gifts when she was younger.Helen's personal experience with grief began when she foresaw her father's...
2024-11-121h 39
Grieving VoicesDelyla Ovalle-Bowyer | Do Grief Differently Helped Me Pick Up The Pieces After Father Loss, Bipolar Misdiagnosis, Career Loss, & MoreToday, I'm sharing my conversation with my former Do Grief Differently client, Delyla Ovalle-Bowyer, a dedicated research associate at UT Austin's Texas Center For Disability Studies. Delyla shares her transformative journey into special education and advocacy after initially struggling to find direction in life. The conversation is especially poignant as it marks the second anniversary of her father, Fred Bowyer's passing—a pivotal moment that led Delyla to seek help with me through my one-on-one, 12-week program, Do Grief Differently. This dialogue illuminates how grief was once an unspoken topic in her family but has since become a...
2024-11-051h 01
Grieving VoicesD Paul Fleming | Healing Childhood Trauma Through Storytelling & Becoming a Veteran AdvocateD Paul Fleming, a retired Navy veteran and spiritual healer, shares his lifelong journey from trauma to healing. His story is a testament to resilience, as he recounts overcoming severe childhood abuse detailed in his book "2,442 Steps To Crazy." Through writing and sharing his experiences, Fleming found therapeutic relief while inspiring fellow veterans facing similar challenges. D Paul and I discuss the systemic issues within the Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. Despite its flaws—such as inconsistent care and bureaucratic hurdles—our conversation highlights the need for holistic support addressing physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual pain.F...
2024-10-291h 34
Grieving VoicesBelonging, Fitting In, Othering, and AcceptanceIn a world increasingly defined by division and isolation, radical belonging offers a powerful antidote to the epidemic of loneliness. Joe Primo's article, "Radical Belonging in an Age of Othering," featured on Grateful Living, delves into this pressing issue with profound insights that resonate deeply amidst our post-pandemic reality.In this week's episode, I read his article out loud because, although I tried, I couldn't have written it better myself. This article (and episode) hits on individual responsibility, which couldn't be more important as we face an election year in the United States, which goes right into...
2024-10-2218 min
Grieving VoicesWhen You Unleash Your Heart, You Unleash Your LifeIn this week's episode, I share what I mean when I say at the end of every episode, "When you unleash your heart, you unleash your life." For me, it's more than a slogan; it's a belief. I navigated over 30 years of unresolved grief, resentment, and anger to achieve profound personal growth and self-realization. Healing is about unleashing one's heart to truly unleash one's life—a conviction born from addressing painful experiences and reframing and seeing those past experiences differently to benefit my evolution and growth. My initial skepticism could have stopped me from even giving the Gri...
2024-10-1518 min
Grieving VoicesChristine Davies | From Sitting With My Sorrow in My Childhood Illness and Multiple Miscarriages To Finding My CallingIn today's episode, Rev. Christine Davies, a hospital chaplaincy leader, shares the path that led her into spiritual care and offers invaluable insights on navigating grief. A deep church involvement from childhood shaped her life path, a calling toward medicine influenced by her nurse mother, and personal health crises that highlighted the importance of compassionate bedside manners.Christine emphasizes chaplains' unique role in healthcare—focusing on emotional and spiritual support rather than just logistical aspects like social workers. She underscores the necessity of open conversations about end-of-life issues, informed by her own experiences with pregnancy loss and gr...
2024-10-081h 04
Grieving VoicesJessica Fein | Creating Corners of Beauty Amidst Parent Loss, Sister Loss X2, and Child LossAmidst the challenges of her daughter Dalia's rare condition, MERRF Syndrome, this week's guest, Jessica Fein, also faced the crushing blows of losing her mother, father, and both sisters during the same trying period. Her story is a tapestry of sorrow and strength, woven with threads of love and loss that resonate deeply with the human experience.The uncertainties surrounding her daughter's diagnosis added layers of complexity to Dalia's health, making it a daunting task to predict her future. Jessica's unwavering determination to advocate for her daughter, alongside the weight of her losses, paints a poignant picture...
2024-10-0149 min
Grieving VoicesAmanda Popovski | Shedding The Old Self and Thriving as an Empath (HSP)I'm excited to share this episode with Amanda Popovski, in which we discuss everything related to being an empath or highly sensitive person (HSP).I could feel the energy behind the words Amanda used in her application, and the synergy I felt with her was one of being a kindred spirit. Sometimes, there are people in this world you click with, and it was refreshing not only to be and feel seen by Amanda but, more importantly, I hope she felt seen by me as well. This episode is a masterclass of sorts for empaths (H...
2024-09-241h 42
Grieving VoicesIs There a Wrong Way To Grieve?Inspired by recent discussions, this episode offers a new perspective that's been noodling around in my mind. In this week's episode, I explore the question: Is there a wrong way to grieve? Key Points:Societal Struggles with Grief: Despite popular belief that all grieving methods are valid, society often fails at effective coping—indicating a need to reevaluate our grief practices.Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms: People frequently turn to short-term harmful behaviors like substance abuse, gambling, or workaholism as an escape from grief rather than confronting their emotions head-on.
2024-09-1708 min
Grieving VoicesAnnie Sklaver Orenstein | Sibling Loss: Forever Ben's SisterWith over a decade of experience collecting stories globally, this week's guest and author, Annie Sklaver Orenstein, has been featured on platforms such as NPR and Time. Her book, Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners Guide to Grief, is an empathetic resource for surviving siblings—a group often overlooked in mourning.Annie shares her insights about sibling relationships being some of the longest-lasting bonds in life. This perspective offers new dimensions to understanding grief, especially for those who haven't experienced sibling loss themselves. She emphasizes that siblings spend more time together during childhood than with th...
2024-09-101h 21
Grieving VoicesCarolina Sotomayor: From Fatherless Daughter to Womb HealerToday's guest, Carolina Sotomayor, is a renowned fertility Reiki womb healer who shares how Reiki helped her conceive her son. We also dive deeper into her childhood stories and the emotional wounds that created what Carolina believes were the energetic blocks to conceiving. Carolina's Path to Healing 🧘♀️Personal Struggles: Initially struggling with conception despite no medical issues, Carolina turned to Reiki after suggestions from her grief therapist and a psychic.Journey Through Adversity: Her pregnancy was filled with challenges, including anxiety, surgeries, and postpartum depression. Reiki played a pivotal role in her re...
2024-09-031h 40
Grieving VoicesAn Invitation for Truth and One Statement That Can Change EverythingUnlock the power of deep connections with one simple phrase: "Tell me more."Today, I explore how a single statement can transform relationships and foster emotional honesty. I also explore the impact of inviting others to share their stories, emphasizing the importance of being present and truly listening.Key Takeaways:- Discover why "Tell me more" is a game-changing invitation for deeper conversations.- Learn how to create safe spaces for emotional sharing without needing to fix or judge.- Understand the significance of connecting through genuine storytelling in your...
2024-08-2709 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A: What To Do When a Loved One Is Not Coping Well With Death in the FamilyLet me support you in this week's episode by guiding you through a journey of understanding grief—especially when someone close doesn't seem to be handling a family death well. This isn't just another conversation but an invitation for introspection and growth.Key Highlights:The episode is thoughtfully structured around three pivotal areas:Coping Perspectives: It challenges us to question societal grieving norms and consider what constitutes healthy coping.Relationship Dynamics: Every bond with the departed is unique. Energy & Focus Direction: Looking inward at our own healing rather than outward in judgment.O...
2024-08-2025 min
Grieving VoicesTiff Carson | IVF Struggles, Divorce, Addiction Took My Brother, & Generational TraumaIn this emotional and deeply personal episode of Grieving Voices, Tiff shares the impact of generational trauma and the subsequent loss of her brother to a fentanyl overdose. Tiff Carson found her brother Cory’s struggle with addiction frustrating and impossible to understand until he chose to use his voice. It was her brother using his voice that became the catalyst for Tiff to choose to love her brother through his struggles, as well as her own. Tiff shares how a joint therapy session with her brother helped reconnect them as siblings by opening up dialogue about th...
2024-08-131h 32
Grieving VoicesBecky Ellis | The Secrets We Keep: A Daughter's Quest for Truth & HealingThis week's guest, Becky Ellis, recounts how her father’s concealed World War II experiences shaped their family life, culminating in her powerful memoir Little Avalanches. Join us as we explore themes of secrecy, resilience, and reconciliation.Key Highlights:Discover how Becky navigated through the silence surrounding her father’s wartime past.Understand the challenges she faced while balancing reverence for his heroism against the shadows it cast over their family dynamics.Learn about Becky's decade-long journey to penning Little Avalanches and its role in mending the fractured relationship with her...
2024-08-061h 14
Grieving VoicesEd Owens | A Veteran's Heart Cracked Open By Child LossThis week, I had the privilege of hearing from Ed Owens, vice president of the Grief Recovery Institute, in a deeply moving episode of the Grieving Voices podcast. As Vice President of the Grief Recovery Institute, Ed's narrative isn't just about loss; it’s about discovery—the kind that reshapes lives. From his military background to law enforcement tenure, he was schooled in emotional compartmentalization until life delivered its harshest lesson through his greatest loss: the death of his 3-year-old son, Ryan.This wasn’t just a turning point for Ed; it was an unraveling—a cataly...
2024-07-3055 min
Grieving VoicesAnn Hince | Tapping Through My Childhood Trauma and Sensing My Way To PeaceWe encounter moments that shape our journey in profound ways. Ann Hince's story is a testament to such transformation—a narrative woven with threads of grief, self-awareness, and, ultimately, healing.In this week's episode, I had the privilege of hearing from Ann Hince, an inspiring author, speaker, and spiritual guide. She opened up about her path to healing after enduring profound trauma and grief.Key Points Discussed:Ann's Transformation: After releasing deep-seated grief from childhood traumas—including finding her mother dead—Ann experienced physical changes in her body.Childhood Trauma...
2024-07-231h 16
Grieving VoicesBig Grief EnergyGrief isn't merely an emotion; it's a profound energy that demands reflection and immersion into our deepest feelings. But too often, our intellect and ego stand as gatekeepers, preventing the deep emotional healing we desperately need.In this week's solo episode, I speak of the body as a compass through loss. Grief tells us when to pause and feel deeply if only we stay grounded enough to heed its guidance. Neglected grief is insidious—it can manifest into physical ailments or emotional turmoil.Key Points Discussed:Grief's Energetics: I compare gr...
2024-07-1621 min
Grieving VoicesYvonne Caputo | Five Wishes That Transformed My Father's End-of-Life, Our Relationship, and My GriefDive into the depths of grief, joy, and the paradox of emotions with Yvonne Caputo on Grieving Voices this week. From personal tales to professional insights, learn how attentive listening can transform relationships and provide peace in life's transitions.Yvonne reflects on personally challenging life transitions that led her to therapy as she grappled with feelings of loss. Her journey emphasizes not just the grand losses but also those smaller ones that cumulatively shape our lives.Episode Highlights:The Paradox of Emotions: Yvonne talks about containing paradoxes—how we ca...
2024-07-091h 11
Grieving VoicesDawn Jackson | Uncovering My Inner Light Through Divorce, Death, and Career ChangeIn this second heartfelt episode of Grieving Voices Season 5, I welcomed Dawn Michele Jackson, a multifaceted healer specializing in grief recovery. Dawn shares her personal journey through divorce and how it led her to the path of healing not just herself but others as well. With a background in nursing and now a self-published author, she discusses the importance of finding one's inner light post-trauma and transforming from merely surviving to thriving.Dawn emphasizes that grief is more than just about death; it encompasses all forms of loss, including divorce, which was a significant turning point for...
2024-07-021h 03
Grieving VoicesA 200th Episode Milestone MessageIn this momentous 200th episode of Grieving Voices, I pause to honor the journey thus far. From heartfelt stories of loss to triumphs in resilience, this podcast has become a beacon for those navigating grief's complex landscape. Join me as I delve into reflections on societal norms around grief, personal growth through storytelling, and gratitude for the community that has been built.Highlights from today’s solo episode include:A reflection on how Grieving Voices evolved into a top global podcast.The importance of sharing episodes with others who may find solace in them.An...
2024-06-2510 min
Grieving VoicesSusan Snow | The Other Side of the Gun: The Aftermath of My Father's MurderIn this week's episode, I am honored to host Susan Snow, a beacon of hope for anyone navigating the treacherous waters of trauma and loss.Susan is an inspiring figure as an author, international speaker, and resiliency coach. Susan bravely opened up about her experience following the tragic death of her father, an LA police detective. Her candid discussion on coping with PTSD before it was widely recognized sheds light on the silent battles many face.In this raw conversation:Susan shares her firsthand experience dealing with PTSD following the violent loss...
2024-06-181h 21
Grieving VoicesDave Roberts | Double Rainbows: A Father's Spiritual Awakening Through Child LossGrief is a teacher, a harsh one, but it comes bearing profound lessons. In today's heart-touching episode of Grieving Voices, I sit down with Dave Roberts, whose personal odyssey through loss is nothing short of inspiring. He shares his intimate experiences following the passing of his daughter to a rare cancer.From grappling with unimaginable pain to discovering a spiritual connection and wisdom beyond the veil - this episode isn't just about coping; it’s about transcending grief and embracing life in its entirety.Key points covered in this episode:Dav...
2024-06-111h 12
Grieving VoicesDenise Dielwart | Living a Reinvented Widow LifeIn the quiet after-hours of our bustling lives, we often overlook the profound journeys that shape us. For today's episode, I had the honor of speaking with Denise Dielwart on Grieving Voices—a woman who turned her deepest sorrow into a beacon of hope for thousands.After the sudden death of her husband left her in despair, Denise discovered that traditional methods of dealing with grief weren't effective. This realization led to the development of the Flow Grief Release Method - an innovative approach designed to expedite healing from years to months.Denise's method challenges co...
2024-06-041h 07
Grieving VoicesAngie Hanson | Chapters of Loss and a Resilient HeartHaving endured the deaths of her one-year-old son, followed by her husband, brother, and sister-in-law, this week's guest Angie Hanson's journey through grief has been nothing short of harrowing. Yet from the depths of despair emerged a mission to alter perceptions around grief—a calling that led to the creation of Butterflies and Halos in 2022.Butterflies and Halos is not your average greeting card company; it aims to provide comfort beyond mere sympathy by fostering genuine connection for those mourning. Additionally, Angie discusses her upcoming book "Chapters of a Resilient Heart," set for release in May 2024 (currently av...
2024-05-281h 08
Grieving VoicesRising Tides: Mental Health Tips For Women Small Business OwnersWelcome to today's episode, which focuses on mental health awareness and celebrating women entrepreneurs for May Mental Health Awareness Month. In this episode I will share my experiences from a recent women's business summit in North Dakota where I met an array of incredible female business owners.FEATURED EPISODE CONTRIBUTORS:Rachael Howard from 3andMe Mobile Coffee discusses how scheduling "me time" is essential for her well-being as an entrepreneur and mother.Chelsy Ciavarella from The Poppy Creative emphasizes the importance of alone time to...
2024-05-2128 min
Grieving VoicesStepping Back To Move Forward: Lessons From SpiritFor this week's episode, I drew inspiration from an oracle deck by creator Colette Baron-Reid called Postcards from Spirit. Its message to you, my audience, and myself was the importance of stepping back to observe our thoughts and behaviors. This card pull reading inspired me to share my personal experience in decision-making as it relates to my business and how stepping away helped me gain clarity. The episode touches on human design, emotional authority, and the traps of fear-based decisions while offering encouragement.Key Points Discussed: Oracle Card Inspiration: Victoria begins by s...
2024-04-0917 min
Grieving VoicesThe Guilt and Blame GameHow often have we heard or even played 'the guilt and blame game' in relationships? This emotional turmoil hinders healing and obscures the path to genuine connection.In today's episode, we dive deep into the complex themes of self-love, self-acceptance, and navigating loss. Healing isn't just about moving past grief; it involves embracing responsibility for our emotions, navigating forgiveness, and making peace internally—sometimes without confronting another soul. As a grief counselor, I've witnessed how loss challenges faith and spirituality but also offers profound lessons in nurturing them.Regret may whisper tales of what could ha...
2024-02-2026 min
Grieving VoicesNational Grief Awareness Week | Facts, Stats, and Grief in the WorkplaceDecember 2nd-8th is National Grief Awareness Week. So, I thought I would do what I do best, and that is to bring attention to grief education. The better prepared and educated we are about grief, the more connected, empathetic, and patient we become. In this week's episode, I will share facts, statistics, and insights about grief. Some of what you'll hear has never been shared on the podcast. You'll learn staggering statistics that even caught me by surprise!Additionally, workplace grief is a common challenge within companies, and if you are a business owner...
2023-12-0523 min
Grieving VoicesMaha Bodhi | Part II: The Pet Loss & The Surrender That Cracked Me OpenThis week's guest, Maha Bodhi, who previously appeared on the podcast in season 3, shares her experience of saying goodbye to her dog and the grief she experienced as a result. Having to choose what she felt was right for her pet versus hoping nature would take its course is a struggle many pet owners face when their pet reaches the end of their life. Pet loss is one of the most minimized losses. Those who don't experience pet loss, and many grievers, often see pets as being replaceable. Although Maha did attempt to replace Blake's loss with an...
2023-10-2455 min
Grieving VoicesAmy Douglas | From Betrayal and Loss To Manifesting JoyHow much betrayal and loss can the heart take within less than two years? Today's guest shares how betrayal, loss, unsurmountable grief, and a decline in health catalyzed her personal growth. Amy chose to empower herself by getting a life coach and learning new tools that enabled her to recalibrate her life and move forward beyond the hurt, pain, and emotional hurricane she felt stuck in for too long. In this episode, we dabble into Amy's experience with Human Design, what she's learned about herself, and how Human Design became the permission slip...
2023-10-1752 min
Grieving VoicesDr. Amirah Hall Part II | Quantum Energy Tools to Discover Your Divine DesignIn this Part II episode with the previous guest, Dr. Amirah Hall, we dig deeper into the energetics of our life experience. A near-death experience catapulted Amirah into a realm of energy work she had not anticipated finding herself doing. However, it's also probably what saved her from herself. As she states in this episode, we tend to stand in our way.Through a set of what she calls quantum energy tools, she developed a daily practice that is grounding and that initiates herself into the present moment. From a place of awareness, she shares...
2023-09-2652 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | Why Do I Struggle In Friendships and Find Parenting Unfulfilling?In today's episode, I share an a-ha realization with you: a question I've wondered about myself for the past eighteen years. I answer my own question in today's episode regarding relationships with friends, my kids, and myself. An important aspect of growth is self-awareness. Sometimes, we need to hear the right thing at the right time, unlocking an a-ha moment we've been waiting to receive. Those a-ha moments can shift our perspective or even possibly change the trajectory of our entire lives. The best way to put ourselves in the way of a-ha...
2023-09-0523 min
Grieving VoicesPhoebe Leona: Where Are They Now? | Magic in the MessThis week, we catch up with the previous Grieving Voices guest, Phoebe Leona.I had received a newsletter from Phoebe providing some updates that, I felt, would be a great episode to talk about the potential/impending loss of something she had built with love, sweat, tears, and probably plenty of finances, too. Sometimes, to grow and evolve, we need to close one door so another may open. Little did I expect that as this episode goes live, I feel we could record a third episode - stay tuned...Back to this episode...
2023-08-2255 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | When Is It Too Soon To Start a New Relationship?This week's episode is about:Learning when you will be ready for a new relationship.Learning why awareness, understanding, and communication are vital to building relationships.I share what it was like when my mom started another relationship after my dad died.Do Grief Differently™️ and YouMap® support grievers in setting themselves up for success in future relationships by preparing their hearts for love again.The question of when it is too soon hinges on various factors, including the individual's grieving process, emotional readiness, and the extent of healing. There's no universally applicable timeline, as every...
2023-08-0819 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | My Son's Death is the Elephant in the RoomToday's Q&A is a great reminder for all of us that we express our grief differently and in our own timing. However, when emotions run high, and the loss seems unbearable, as is often the case with child loss, more grief will often add to the pain and heartbreak within family dynamics. We must remember that 75% of how we respond to life's challenges is learned by age three. By age fifteen, we've learned the remaining 25% of how to respond to life's challenges. These are impressionable ages, and the lessons in our youth are what we fall...
2023-07-0415 min
Grieving VoicesPatti Herr: Where Are They Now? | Grief, Grace & Gratitude in MotherhoodPatti was my second guest on this podcast back in 2020. In our first recording, Patti shares more about what it was like being a young widow and later dealing with infertility with her now husband. In this follow-up episode, Patti shares some wonderful surprises God had in store for her in the last three years, including the impact working through her grief with me has had on her life and parenting in the time since she participated in one of my grief recovery group programs.Patti's story proves that there are rainbows after storm clouds...
2023-06-2735 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | The Grief of a Midlife CrisisDid you know that the term "midlife crisis" was coined by Elliot Jacques, a psychoanalyst who came up with the term in 1965 after noticing significant changes in one of his middle-aged clients? A lot has changed since 1965; the way we eat, how we eat, what we drive, societal views about marriage and children, etc. It's as if Mr. Jacques saw the writing on the wall back then. Fast-forward fifty-eight years, and the "midlife crisis" has become, in some respects, a societal joke. Hit forty, and you might have an affair, buy a sports car, or make some...
2023-06-2026 min
Grieving VoicesTough Love | I Don't Have Time To Work On MyselfMay is Mental Health Awareness Month! Taking mental health seriously and prioritizing it is the job of the individual. Even if you find yourself in a situation where you are forced to prioritize your mental health, that doesn't necessarily equate to successful results. The effort you make, along with your intention, will create positive outcomes. We can allow ourselves to become bogged down by grief in our lives, or we can take small, actionable steps every day that move us forward and create momentum for healing. This is precisely what we do through my program
2023-05-1615 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | How Can I Best Help My Child In Their Grief?When tragedy strikes or challenging times knock on a family's door, the children involved can feel cast aside or as if they are an afterthought while the adults are experiencing their emotional crisis. However, it doesn't have to be that way. As adults become more knowledgeable about grief, learning new tools and new information, beliefs about grief and how to respond to it can change, too. As children's adult caretakers/caregivers connect to their own grief and apply new knowledge and tools, they also learn new (and healthier) ways to cope with grief and loss. ...
2023-05-0916 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | Is There Such a Thing as Complicated Grief?Many grief terms have come about to describe grief: abbreviatedabsentanticipatorychroniccollectivecomplicateddistorted disenfranchisedinhibiteddelayedmaskednormalThe American Psychological Association describes complicated grief as grief that seems to deviate from what’s expected, interfering with the ability to function. Isn't that grief, in general? Doesn't grief completely flip a person's world and life upside down? Does the term complicated grief and the laundry list of others do anything to help someone move forward in their grief and loss? The simple answer is "no." I believe these terms, and others like them, only cause grievers to judge themselves and their response to lo...
2023-04-1810 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | Is Closure Possible?It happens often; we hear people say they want or need closure. We also hear it on crime shows and true crime documentaries, too. However, what feels more accurate, and what would be a more helpful expression of what those left behind genuinely desire? Listen to this quick Q&A on closure and discover why it's unhelpful and what would be a more accurate goal to aim for when grieving. Sudden or traumatic loss (or events) often leave people wanting closure. And that desire that may never be achieved, keeping someone grieving stuck in emotional...
2023-03-2109 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | Why Do Bad Things Happen to Good People?The question on today's podcast is one I have heard a lot and one I've also asked myself if I'm being honest. It's normal and natural to ask ourselves questions like this, and it doesn't mean that you mean any ill will towards others. It also doesn't mean other people are "bad"; bad things should happen to them instead. I see this question as an expression of trying to make sense of tragedy or challenges. When looking at outside circumstances, when you see other people living their lives in such a way that puts them...
2023-02-2809 min
Grieving VoicesQ&A | Why Am I Struggling More With My Spouse's Death Than My Parents' Death?In this first Q&A episode, Ruth asks why she's struggling more with her spouse's death than the death of her parents.In my response, I share a perspective you may find helpful when considering your losses. Whether you've been married for five, fifteen, or forty years, or your parents died when you were young or in your fifties, death may finalize the physical relationship; however, the emotional relationship carries on. I'd love to answer your question on the podcast. Submit your Q to my email at victoria@theunleashedheart.com with "Q for...
2023-01-2408 min
Grieving VoicesTakeaways & Reflections | Grief Over Family DynamicsWhat does family mean to you? Who makes up your family? Not only those you claim by blood but those you choose, who show up when life throws curveballs? There are reasons to grieve family; the family you wish you had and even the family you may wish you didn't have, too. We can't choose our family, but we have a say in their role in our lives. And, when a family is made up of less-than-loving relationships, we can even choose to fill the needs of our hearts by choosing to have people in...
2022-12-2725 min
Grieving VoicesKevin Boon | The Masks We WearWhen you fill out your calendar, do you intentionally set time aside to reflect and for introspection? Probably not. Most of us don't do so. However, as Kevin shares in this episode, doing so for his grief has made all of the difference in his life. Kevin speaks to the cumulative losses of his career, his father, his mother, and subsequent divorce. He also shares the impact of having a small nuclear family and missing out on a larger, extended family community growing up. We often don't think about how our nuclear family of origin...
2022-12-2044 min
Grieving VoicesGenesis Amaris Kemp | Caregiving, Covid, and Corporate GriefGrief is cumulative, and it's cumulatively negative. Every loss we experience stacks on top of those before it. For Genesis Amaris Kemp, attending funerals started becoming a regular occurrence. Add the loss of loved ones before the Covid pandemic (and during) to the loss of a job during the same timeframe, and it can be challenging to find solid footing. Additionally, learning, for the first time, how to advocate for a parent in the healthcare system posed its challenges during this same period. Genesis's father walked into a hospital with elevated blood sugar. Three days later, he...
2022-12-1340 min
Grieving VoicesDan Goldberg | Finding the GloryWas your childhood filled with joy and surrounded by love and support? There may have been some challenging times for your parents or even for you, but what if you indeed did have the ideal life?Dan's childhood was amazing. So when grief hit home hard, and hard it did, he was ill-prepared. He had experienced the death of his grandparents, but even then, there was little discussion about death or grief. His parents did their best to shelter him and his siblings from the sorrows of life. So when his father was dying of...
2022-12-061h 12
Grieving VoicesTakeaways & Reflections | Be Your Own HeroWe are all going to die. However, none of us know when, although some may know how (as with a terminal illness). One thing we can do for ourselves and our loved ones, not knowing when our last day will come, is to prepare for it. We will spare our loved ones from making many complex (and conflicting) decisions. You can be your own hero and that of your loved ones by taking ownership of your life as you're living and in death. Being your own hero means that sometimes, it pays to take chances...
2022-11-2222 min
Grieving VoicesTim Heale | Glass Half-Full Approach to LifeTim's grief was compounded by the loss of his best friend and then-wife within a year of each other. It's enough to send anyone into a tailspin as it did for Tim. He found himself at the lowest point in his life. Grief-stricken, he found solace in a bottle until a friend asked him if he thought he had been drinking too much. From then on, he considered his path and decided to change his approach to life. Love found him where he least expected it; in the arms of the widow of his deceased b...
2022-11-151h 06
Grieving VoicesChristian de la Huerta | Awakening the Soul of PowerChristian is one of nine children born and raised in Cuba during turbulent times and in the Catholic faith. His parents instilled in him the importance of excelling and reading. These early lessons laid a foundation. However, those lessons also set the stage for a desire to escape and not be seen. Introversion and depression plagued his adolescence, as was his knowledge of being gay. With courage, he came out to his family. Christian speaks about this challenging time in his life and the ones that came to be in the future, including the recent...
2022-10-181h 09
Grieving VoicesDru Jaeger + Victoria | The Grief + Alcohol ClubThis week's episode is a collaboration with my friend, Dru Jaeger, co-founder of Club Soda and author of How to Be a Mindful Drinker: Cut Down, Take a Break, or Quit.Dru woke up one morning a happy child with two parents and went to bed that night without a mother. She died suddenly and unexpectedly of a massive brain hemorrhage. Within six months, his father would relocate their family to another country. Like many of us, Dru learned that you suppress it, distract yourself, keep yourself busy, and...
2022-05-311h 07
Grieving VoicesKristin Sherry | Career Grief and The Gift of HindsightKristin Sherry is a bestselling and award-winning author, creator of YouMap®, a 2020 Career Innovator Award recipient, and she's also my mentor. Her brilliance is why I am a Certified YouMap® Coach. If you have been struggling with your life path, career, purpose, or what I like to call - a midlife unraveling, this episode is for you!Grief is the loss of hopes, dreams, and expectations. When it comes to what we spend most of our waking hours doing if we don't love it, don't utilize all of our skills, or aren't valued, grief is of...
2022-01-1854 min
Grieving VoicesDarren Evans | Loss and LegacyIn this episode, Darren shares how loss (and his son) inspired him to create a way to capture life's most precious moments, support others through caregiving and loving gestures, and leave a legacy for future generations. After Cloud is, as Darren calls it, a life-tech app; for sharing what needs to be said, capturing what you never want to forget, and connecting with loved ones in a way that is both easy and joy-filled. Through his losses, which include his older brother as a kid, and his father to cancer, and his mother-in-law to Lewy...
2021-06-0155 min
Grieving VoicesAngela Williams | Abused by My Mother, Homeless, & Heroin Addict to Ph.D.Based on the experiences she had in the first decade of her life, Angela was destined for a life of struggle, and, as her mom declared - die with a needle in her arm by the time she was 16. This prophecy nearly came true more than once. Instead, she got her Ph.D.. A life of trauma, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse by her mother led to early motherhood, heroin addiction, looking for love in all the wrong places, and losing her son to her own mother who put him in foster care. It would take over...
2021-03-091h 28Grieving VoicesTakeaways & Reflections | The Evolution & Ripples of Hope & GriefIn this episode, I dig more into the topic of faith and spirituality that Lizzy and I touched on in her episode. Communication and support were a huge influence on her grief, whereas, I share how my experienced differed, despite both of us having the exact same losses which occurred in the same order, too. From Margo's episode, I talk about how hope greatly influences our outlook. Also, because it hasn't been talked about a whole lot yet on the podcast, I wanted to talk more about grief in the workplace that Margo and I discussed in h...
2021-03-0233 min
Grieving VoicesLizzy Flavin | Never FatherlessLizzy and I share a similar loss experience. So much so, we both experienced the death of a grandmother, father, then uncle - in the same order. We have a conversation about how those losses have shaped and shown up in her life, from her perspective of being in her early 20's. Also, being only ten years past the death of her father, she shares what's helped her throughout her youth. The conversation also turns to spirituality and faith. Lizzy shares grief that she feels around the separateness that exists within faith communities. And, she...
2021-02-1646 minGrieving VoicesTakeaways & Reflections | Resiliency vs Self-RelianceThrough childhood grief and trauma, we are greatly shaped and influenced by the experiences we go through well into adulthood. I reflect on Nicky's episode, where he shares what life was like growing up as a child of artificial insemination and growing up in an LGBTQ home. We talked a lot about personal growth and how growing up surrounded by diversity helped him be accepting of all people. Sandi's episode brought up how child sexual trauma can bring about intangible losses such as loss of trust, safety, and trust. Not to mention, a loss of...
2021-02-0920 min
Grieving VoicesNicky Scorpio | Curiosity Saved Me: An A.I. Child Growing Up in an LGBTQ HomeNicky Scorpio, singer, songwriter, producer, and host of Scorpio Rising Podcast shares his experience being a child of artificial insemination, whose biological father later died of AIDS, and who was raised in an LGBTQ home. Through growing up in and around diversity all of his life, he gleaned many lessons. At age 12, he started to understand where he didn't fit and became an angry child as a result. Nicky recognized later in life, the important role curiosity played in his healing of childhood wounds. Through studying philosophy, meditation, seeking healers, shamans, and mentors, he slowly...
2021-01-261h 38Grieving VoicesTakeaways & Reflections from Ep. 28 & 29 | Breaking the CycleEpisode 28 with Quandell Wright offered me a perspective of what life was like for him growing up on the streets of Detroit, MI. He had to grow up fast, growing up with a single-parenting mom during his younger years, and how he found himself in a gang. I share thoughts about how easily a parent can make parenting choices based on fear. I share, from Ruthie Bowles episode (Episode 29) more about my thoughts on how the traumas that happen to us, like sexual assault, impact our parenting. I also include the tips Ruthie shared from her episode o...
2021-01-1929 minGrieving VoicesTakeaways & Reflections | Trauma & The WooEpisode 25 with Katie Chonacas was difficult for me to hear. I saw myself in her story and, although my experiences have been different, I felt for her, what I had been feeling also for myself. And, that was incredible sadness for what she went through. In this episode, I reflect more deeply on those experiences and, you'll also get to learn and understand how it is I found my way to do the work that I do today as both a Certified Grief Specialist and as a Reiki Master. I share, from Victoria Shaw's episode...
2020-12-2931 min
Grieving VoicesVictoria Shaw | The Cloaks We WearVictoria Shaw is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified School Counselor in the State of Connecticut. She is also the author of four books, for tweens, teens, and adults, and the mother of two spirited, adult children.Victoria shares the loss of her sacred, beloved self, as she refers to her then self; the part of herself who she always was, however, lost touch and connection with over the passage of time and the beginning of motherhood. She shares how her life experience led her to the intuitive counseling work she does today, and also fu...
2020-12-2258 min
Grieving VoicesReena Friedman Watts: Multiple Miscarriage Experience & Words of Wisdom**Reena shares graphic details of her two miscarriages. Please consider this if you have personally experienced a miscarriage.**We go deep in this conversation, talking about the environment a bereaved mother experiencing miscarriage goes through, through the eyes of Reena's experience. We touch on the loss of her grandfather as well, and the relationship he and her grandmother had. Reena reflects on that relationship with her grandparents and shares wisdom from her 92-year-old grandmother, as well as wise words from her father. Reena shares a lovely story and lesson on charity...
2020-11-0354 min
Grieving VoicesLindsay Joy Taylor: A Mother-Connection Lost in ChildhoodLindsay's mother was murdered when she was a toddler. Being the youngest of three children, she speaks to her experience of what it was like growing up without her mom, and how she found a way to honor her mother's memory. Lindsay found the joy in her middle name again, with the birth of her business, The Joyful Jewelry Box, and as a Grief Advocate.Be a fly on the wall of a conversation that covers family grief, the impact child loss had on Lindsay, and how she's learned to move forward throughout her life.
2020-10-2756 minGrieving VoicesTakeaways & Reflections from Ep. 15 & 16: Shifting Perspective, Giving Ourselves Grace, & ExpectationsThere were some wonderful insights shared by guests Susay Ways on Episode 15 and Danielle Duffey on Episode 16. In this episode, I share some highlights and dig a little more deeply into some of the topics we only scratched the surface of during the interviews. Learn more about how I got through my grief, shifting energy and perspective, and how we want others to perceive us can actually hurt us more than help. Moving on to Danielle's episode, I dig a bit more into the importance of allowing ourselves to feel, how expectations can be...
2020-10-2023 minGrieving VoicesDanielle Duffey: A Bereaved Mother's Mission for JoyOne loss no mother ever wants to experience, and one most of us cannot even fathom, is the death of a child. Danielle shares how she and her family navigated the most devastating loss of their lives. Danielle says that we are not meant to live this life alone, and through her grieving voice, you will hear just how important support was to her and her family. You will also learn of resources that helped her get through the darkest of days. And, if you know a griever, there are wonderful nuggets shared on how to support...
2020-10-1339 minGrieving VoicesSusan Ways: On the Loss of Her Spouse, Friendships, Transition, and Discovering Her NeedsWe're taught how to attain relationships, careers, things, etc.. However, we're not taught what to do when we lose them. When Susan lost her husband to a rare form of lung cancer, she was surrounded by grief. From her own pain, she created the Tendrils of Grief podcast, which showcases grief professionals who can help provide guidance and advice to those who might feel so alone in their journey.Through her podcast, Susan also shines a light on the stories of those who have recently lost someone close to them. It's...
2020-10-0647 min