Where's The Grief?

In this episode I talk with fellow grief expert Kyle Kittleson. After the death of his mother, Kyle found that talking about his loss to be among the few things that was truly helpful, and began a new career path that put him directly in touch with other people dealing with trauma. His work with MedCircle has proven that hope and help are always available, and that finding ways to work on our own mental health is more accessable than ever. We talk about how helpful it can be just to be in service of someone elses journey, and how much it matters that we keep telling our stories. Check out Medcircle and all that Kyle does at https://medcircle.com/   and on IG @MedCircleOfficial Check out Kyle's youtube BahBahBlast! https://www.youtube.com/@babablast  

In this episode I talk with actor and author Jody Gelb about her book, "She may be lying down but she may be very happy," a memoir about the loss of her daughter Lueza. Born with cerebral palsey, Lueza had many struggles in her too short life, but despite all that they faced, Jody managed to find ways to give her as normal and as happy a life as a child can have. Her story speaks to what is possible when we start to open up and have the tough conversations.    Follow Jody online and get the book at JodyGelb.com Follow Jody on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/jodygelb Find out more about The Bridge School here! Find out more about Dora Jar, Jody's other daughter and Lueza's sister!

In this episode, I sat down to talk with Bobbi Schlager Milne! I met Bobbi 20 years ago at my first Compassionatte Friends grief conference, and she has continued to be a constant source of love and support in the grief community, and among the few bereaved parents who made a real point in finding support for her surviving daughter Tracy (who later became the sibling representative on the nation board for The Compassionate Friends.) Bobbi's son Andrew was killed in an accident when he was just 10 years old, and his sister Tracy was 15, in 1985. A year later, Bobbi began writing about her grief but ultimately let the manuscript sit on a shelf. After many years Bobbi revisted her earlier writings about Andrew and published a book, "Not My Andrew" in an effort to show people that it's possible to still find a path forward after the unimaginable has happened.  Find out more and get the book at https://notmyandrew.com (you can also always get it on Amazon)

In this episode I got to talk with Author and certified coach Ingrid Hu Dahl. Her new book, "Sun Shining on Morning Snow" is a testatment to the importance of preserving family history and finding ways to talk about the things that we tend to avoid talking about. After the death of her mother, Ingrid reflected on their relationship and how thier respective journeys of identity and self discovery was similar. Having her own struggle with both her cultural and sexual identity, Ingrid manages to weave her grief into a memoir that is about the ways our relationship to our parents and our past shape our future. We also talk about the importance of continuing to tell the stories that make us, and to keep the memories of our loved ones alive. Get the book at https://www.sunshiningonmorningsnow.com/buy Find out more about Ingrid and her coaching at https://www.ingridhudahl.com/ Follow ingrid on IG @sunshiningonmorningsnow

In this episode, I talk with Author Louise Ells about her book, "Lies I Told My Sister." Her novel began as a response to a a question a friend asked: "What scares you the most? And are you going to write about it?" Having already dealt with the loss of one of her sisters at a young age, Louise managed to find ways to express her feelings of grief and loss in a novel that explores the relationship between sisters, and the ways that we avoid our biggest fears.  We also talk about how writing itself can be so cathartic and a helpful way to make sense of our own emotional responses by having fictional characters deal with them. Follow Louise at https://www.louiseells.ca/  And her blog: https://louiseells.blogspot.com/   Follow her on IG: https://www.instagram.com/louiseellsauthor/  

In this episode I talk with comedian Keith Chase about the tumultuous year that saw him nearly lose his own life alongside dealing with the death of his grandmother as well as his father, all in a short span of time. Now 6 months later (This episode was recorded in Nov. 2024) Keith has started reflecting on all the issues that come out of loss, and how we think about our own mortality while still being responsible for someone elses paperwork. We also talk about how hard it can be to transition back into regular life again when all you want to do is sit on your couch. Follow Kieth on Instagram and TikTok @ChaseTheShortGuy

In this episode I talk with my good friend and fellow bereaved sibling, Earla Dawn Legault about her book, "Living With Sibliing Grief - Imagining a Way Forward." After the death of her sister Leigh-Ann, Earla struggled to find support for her grief, finding very little in for those who had lost a sibling. Even her local grief support groups in Canada seemed too general to understand what she was going through. Enter Monica Murphy, a fellow bereaved sibliing who was also struggling after the death of her sister Darcy. Together Monica and Earla wrote a book about their experiences and struggles that truly showcases the power of peer support, and all the connection that comes from putting ourselves out there. Follow more of Earla at https://linktr.ee/siblinggrief  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sibling.grief.buds/   GET THE BOOK At Amazon  Grief Matters ‘guest’ cartoon - https://griefmatters.ca/cartoons/where-are-all-books-about-adult-sibling-grief Grief Matters blog - https://griefmatters.ca/blo

In this episode I talk with author Jonathan Foster about his book  After the death of his daughter Quincy at the age of 20, Jonathan spent close to a decade processing how to grieve and continue to keep hope in his life.  Poetry allows for a dynamic and interesting way to weave a narrative, and the ways we experience grief can often be so difficult to express in a linear way. “Indigo” manages to capture a stream of consciousness quality to his story that draws the reader in both mentally as well as visually. We talk about the ways that we adapt the permanence of absence as we process not just our grief, but how to bring love back to the forefront of our lives. Follow Jonathan online at https://www.jonathanfosteronline.com Learn more about Jonathan's charity for Haiti - LoveHaiti.org (and GET THE BOOK - "indigo: the color of grief"  

In this episode I talk with comedian Benny Blue about his recent one-man show, "Live From My Mother's Funeral."  After his mother Virginia passed away in 2021, Benny found talking about his experience of grief on stage to be one of the few things that allowed him to be honest while still looking for humor in an otherwise traumatising moment.  Comedy allows us to talk about such a wide variety of things that we don't often talk about in our regular lives, and while we all deal with grief, it's one of the few things we don't always acknowledge.  Benny's show combines aspects of stand up comedy along with some theatrical pieces that blend together in a reimagined version of his mothers funeral that allows both him and the audience to process things together. We also talk about how the writing and performing of this kind of material is so different from the promotion and sharing of the show. Follow Benny and all that he does at https://www.bennyblueeyes.net/ Check out the Special - LIVE FROM MY MOTHERS FUNERAL

In this episode, I talk with Author Chris Cochran about his book, "What's Good About Today? A Purpose Driven Life." After getting a terminal cancer diagnosis at the age of 21, Chris' son Christian managed to keep his own optimism and uplifting spirit about him, inspiring those around him to be mindful and grateful for the life they have, and to earnestly exclaim all that which is good about today. We talk about just how important perspective is when dealing with such a devastating loss, and how much it helps to keep talking about our loved ones. Follow Chris at https://www.chriscochranspeaks.com Get the book, "What's Good About Today?" HERE

In this episode, I talk to author Annie Sklaver Orenstein about her new book, "Always A Sibling: The Forgotten Mourners Guide To Grief." After years of struggling with her own grief after the death of her brother Ben to a suicide bomber in Afghanistan, Annie began writing what ultimately became the book that she wished had existed when her loss was fresh.  As a skilled reasearcher, Annie surveyed and interviewed dozens of other bereaved siblings, weaving their stories together with her own, along with detailed references to so many of the resources and support that is out there. We obviously talk (and bond) over the fact that bereaved siblings are often overlooked -  hence the Forgotten Mourners moniker, and how impactful it is to finally have found a community and a vocaulary to talk about our siblings with. We also talk about the surreal expereince of having to sell and promote someting so deeply personal.  Get the book and find out more about Annie! https://www.amazon.com/Always-Sibling-Forgotten-Mourners

In this episode I talk with comedian Brian Rabadeau life before and after the death of his father, Joe. After several bouts with serious health issues, Brian's father started the pandemic fighting against the isolation and struggling with all the mandates, which ultimately led to him dying of Covid in 2022. Since then Brian has worked on finding ways to move forward and let go of his anger towards his father, and at society at large, reminding himself that optimism and hope are still possible despite what llife throws at us. Follow Brian on IG @Brabs91 If you're in the New Orleans area when this episode drops, Brian will be performing in the Hell Yes Festival, November 12th, 13th and 14th! (GET TICKETS AND MORE INFO HERE!)

In this episode, I talk with Author and Sound Healer Jeralyn Glass about her book, "Sacred Vibrations - The Transformative Power of Crystalline Sound and Music," as well as her practice of creating unique sets of crystal singing bowls. Already a musician and leader in the sound healing movement when her son Dylan died, Jeralyn focused her efforts on helping others tap into the various frequencies and vibrations of life. We also talk about how helping others heal can be a source of healing for us as well, and how the intersection of science, spiritually and the healing power of music bring us all closer together. Find out more about Jeralyn and what she does at https://crystalcadence.com/ Follow her on IG @crystalcadencela GET THE BOOK - Sacred Vibrations!

Hooray! In this very special episode, I got to talk with Chef Dan Budd, owner of Taste Budd's Cafe, and former teacher at the Culinary Institute of America. As many listeners of the podcast know, my brother Russell was about to graduate from the CIA when he passed away in 2002. Dan Budd was more than one of Russell's professors, he was a mentor to him, and an early employer to take Russell under his wing.  No stranger to grief himself already, Dan's sister Laura died two years prior to Russell, oddly enough on the exact same day, July 6th. Laura's death to a rare brain tumor changed the way that Dan thought about his ability to harness his own energy in support of creating good in the world. We talk about how family dynamics can change after the loss of a sibling, and the profound bonds we create when talking with others who have been through something similar. We also talk about the importance of gratitude, and the danger of bees!   Check out Taste Budd's in Red Hook, NY!  Taste Budd's 40 West Market Street

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Sara Glass about her new memoir, "Kissing Girls on Shabbat." Growing up in an extremely sheltered Orthodox Hassidic Jewish community, Sara decided to become a therapist and mental health professional partially because seeing how her sister Shani's mental health issues impacted her family. When Shani ultimately took her own life, Sara came out of the closet after years of struggling with her sexual identity and eventually wrote a memoir about her path towards self acceptance and an open life. We talk about the different ways that we interalize our own trauma, and how hard it can be to find ways to be honest with the people in our lives about what we are going through. We also talk about the stigma that comes with suicide and mental health issues in general, and how important it is to recognise that we never have to do it alone. As September is Suicide Awareness Month, This episode is a reminder that someone is always listening, and if you need help, reach out to a trusted frien

In this episode, I talk with Tawnya Musser about her role and experiences in the world of Home Funerals. Already in school to become a funeral director when her brother Robert died, Tawnya found conventional funeral and death rituals to be lacking when it came to the way that her family wanted to celebrate Robert’s life and give family and friends an opportunity to grieve together in a safe and familiar environment. Since then she has worked to help people find the resources and avenues to hold their own home funerals, and connect them to individual more personalized memorials. You can find out more about Tawnya and her work at https://deardepartures.com Also, https://www.homefuneralalliance.org/home-funeral-guidebook.html provides step by step ideas on how to plan a home funeral. 

In this episode, I talk with comedian Liz Glazer about her album, "A Very Particular Experience," recorded on the one year anniversary of Liz and her wife's first daughter’s Leo Pearl stillbirth.  We talk about the difficulty of even making jokes about such a heavy topic, let alone putting together an entire album. However, we also highlight how important it is to laugh, and how much hope it can bring along with the perspective that keeps us connected to people.  Follow more about liz at https://www.dearlizglazer.com

In this episode, I talk with Author Joseph Alvaro about his book, "I'm One Of The Lucky Ones: Remembering A Soulmate." After Joseph's wife Francés died in 2009, followed by a brother in law, an uncle, his daughter and his father, as well as a handful of friends. "It seemed like all I did was go to funerals for 14 months."  In the wake of such traumatic events, Joseph began finding ways to talk about his lost loved ones by focusing on the precious memories and celebrating thier lives rather than dwell on the immense sadness that ultimatly comes with grief. In addition to his book, Joseph is the creator and producer of The Lucky Ones, a community of shared stories by individuals about people they were lucky to have known who have passed away. Celebrating the lives of loved ones in a short video exposé, these life affirming stories reinforce our common humanity in wonderfully charming videos filled with love, humor, and memories. Follow Joseph at https://luckyonestv.com for all the links to the videos. Get the B

In this episode I got to talk to Author Courtney Deane about her new book, "When Happily Ever After Fails." Courtney's father died when she was just 14, and her mother when she was just 28. In order to process her grief and make sense of her feelings about her own identity as a now parentless person, Courtney wrote a romantic comedy novel about a young woman going through similar difficult challenges. We talk about how important it is to create our own narrative of our trauma, and how finding ways to honor our own journeys. We also talk about how keeping our sense of humor and allowing ourselves to be a little silly sometimes goes a long way.  Follow Courtney at http://www.courtneydeane.com/ Courtney on IG - https://www.instagram.com/authorcourtneydeane/ Courtney on TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@courtneydeane   Follow ME on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wheresthegrief  

In this episode I talk with Author and fellow grief podcaster, Brooke Carlock! After a two year span in which she lost both her parents, her stepmother AND her 10 year old daugher Libby, Brooke has found a miriad of ways to process her grief, as well as help others through thier own. Her podcast, "Mourning Coffee" is an open and honest discussion about the ups and downs of grief and loss that is unfiltered and refreshing in its approach. It reminds me just how helpful it is to validate our own feelings as normal despite how unfamiliar and scary they can be. Brooke's new book, "Grief Sucks (But Your Life Doesn't Have To)" also pulls no punches as it highlights the ways we can laugh at the darkest parts of our lives. Follow Brooke online at https://brookecarlock.org/