Good Grief

- EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS - Over the past year, The Good Grief Podcast has explored some of life's most important conversations: grief, healing, family, faith, service, and the connections that continue long after loss. In this special compilation episode, host Pete Waggoner revisits five meaningful moments that resonated deeply with listeners. These conversations remind us why planning matters, ho...

What happens after someone dies? Are the signs people experience after loss simply coincidence, or something deeper? In this deeply emotional episode of The Good Grief Podcast , Mike O’Connell, Emma O’Connell, and Father Jerry Harris explore the mysterious moments that often follow grief: cardinals appearing at the perfect time, vivid dreams, unexplained peace, near-death experiences, and stories...

After the service ends and the casseroles are gone, families are left with something no one really prepares them for. The quiet. And then… the stuff. In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, the conversation turns to something deeply personal and often overwhelming—what to do with a loved one’s belongings after they pass. From a father’s coffee mug to a worn sweatshirt that still carries their s...

Most people think pre-planning a funeral means preparing for death. But in this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Mike and Emma O’Connell challenge that idea completely. They explain that pre-planning isn’t about dying. It’s about living with peace of mind, knowing your family won’t be left with hundreds of decisions during one of the hardest moments of their lives. Through real stories and hones...

In this powerful and unexpectedly uplifting episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Mike O’Connell and host Pete Waggoner sit down with Minneapolis tattoo artist Carlen Gil to explore one of the most personalized memorial options available today: incorporating cremated remains into tattoo ink. From the history of tattooing to the science behind cremation ink refinement, this episode blends artistry, tr...

In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast , hosts Pete Waggoner and Michael O’Connell sit down with St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knutson to talk about a growing threat facing older adults: scams that prey on kindness, trust, and fear. From grandparent scams and fake tech support calls to government impersonators and gift card fraud, Sheriff Knutson shares real-world examples from his thirty year...

In this episode, Mike O’Connell joins Pete Waggoner for a deeply insightful conversation about monuments.  They explore why headstones matter, how design choices tell a story, and what most families don’t know about the planning process. From costs to colors, Mike shares decades of wisdom to help you approach monument decisions with care and creativity. Whether you’re preplanning or honoring a lov...

This heartfelt episode features a candid conversation between Mike and Emma O’Connell, father-daughter members of O’Connell Family Funeral Homes, as they reflect on legacy, loss, and growing up in a family funeral home. From prom pranks to life-shaping grief experiences, they share the emotional realities and quiet joys that come with serving others in their most tender moments. Episode Highlights...

A single sentence can haunt a family for years. “Just cremate me and throw me out back.” It’s said casually, often meant with humility, but can create lasting pain and confusion for those left behind.  In this heartfelt episode, funeral director Mike O’Connell opens up about why these words are his “kryptonite,” the emotional cost of skipping a ceremony, and how reframing our final wishes can beco...

What You'll Hear in This Episode In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast, Christa Walz from Adoray joins us to talk about the power of home health care in helping families age with support, safety, and dignity. Here's a quick look at what we covered: [00:00] Christa reflects on 20 years with Adoray and how she got started in home health care. [02:00] What home health care includes—and how it’s d...

When Grief Doesn’t Go Away—and That’s Okay Grief isn’t something we get over—it’s something we learn to live with. In this episode of The Good Grief Podcast , therapist Jill Ann Anderson joins Mike O’Connell and Pete Waggoner for an honest, moving conversation about what it means to truly process grief.  Jill shares her personal journey of loss, how it led her to become a grief therapist, and why...

What happens behind the scenes before a loved one’s viewing? In this eye-opening episode of The Good Grief Podcast , Michael O’Connell breaks down the details of what goes into preparing someone for a final goodbye. From grooming and attire to the unexpected things most families never think about, this is a transparent and thoughtful look into the care and respect funeral directors provide. Whethe...

In this powerful episode, Rev. Dr. Jules Erickson joins Michael O’Connell for a deep and relatable conversation about how grief moves through families—and how we often carry it without even knowing. From childhood loss and moral injury to the messy middle of healing, Pastor Jules shares stories and tools from family systems theory and pastoral work. You'll learn why grief doesn't follow a...

Episode Description: In this heartfelt Memorial Day episode, Michael O’Connell and podcast host, Pete Waggoner,  reflect on what the holiday truly means. They explore the difference between Memorial Day and Veterans Day, the importance of honoring fallen service members, and the meaningful traditions that surround military funerals. You’ll also hear about local efforts to recognize veterans, how c...

Episode Description: Pre-planning a funeral may not be the most comfortable conversation—but it just might be the most important. In this inaugural episode of The Good Grief Podcast , Michael O’Connell and Pete Waggoner unpack the reasons pre-planning makes a profound difference for grieving families. From preventing financial strain and family conflict to offering clarity during chaos, they discu...

Who says it’s too late to be talking about horror?  In this month’s episode, Pete and Amber explore how death, dying, and funerals are depicted in the media. Amber, with her penchant for horror movies, offers a unique perspective, revealing the dual aspects of death in cinematic and television narratives—between the gruesome and the serene. As the conversation unfolds, the duo delves deeper into t...

In this episode, Amber and Pete shed light on the topic of hospice care, sharing their insights and debunking common misconceptions. Amber starts by explaining how she chose this topic for the episode, drawing from her experiences with families who often express regret for not admitting their loved ones to hospice sooner. Pete raises an important question about whether patients in hospice have a s...

In this episode, Amber and Pete dive into the topic of body and organ donation, debunking myths and addressing common concerns. They begin by highlighting the importance of discussing donation throughout the year. Pete raises the misconception about open caskets for organ donors, questioning whether they are allowed. They also tackle the myth surrounding autopsies and how funerals look like when t...

In this episode, Amber and Pete delve into the world of embalming and cremation myths. They discuss the fate of jewelry, metallic teeth fillings, and implants during these processes, debunking misconceptions along the way. From how embalming doesn't grant permanence or produce odors to debunking the myth that remains are directly set on flames during cremation, the duo provides insightful info...

In this month's episode, Amber and Pete explore the often-misunderstood topic of funeral costs and the crucial role of funeral directors in managing the intricacies of the funeral process. They discuss the perception of families regarding the costs and how funeral directors handle this sensitive issue. Amber provides insights into the professional needs that contribute to the costs, such as th...

In this episode, Pete and Amber are joined by Mike Miller of the Willow River Cemetery in Hudson, WI. Mike shares his personal journey, recalling how his fascination with the cemetery began when he worked there as a 15-year-old summer job worker. As the discussion unfolds, Mike opens up about the challenges and rewards of meeting with grieving families, emphasizing the fulfilling responsibility of...

In this episode, host Pete Waggoner and Amber Miller of O’Connell Family Funeral Homes discuss the role of pallbearers in funeral services. They explain the origin of the term “pallbearer” and its evolution to refer to individuals carrying the casket during a funeral procession. The hosts explore the process of choosing casket bearers, including age and gender requirements, and the benefits of inv...

In this episode, host Pete Waggoner and O’Connell Family Funeral Homes’ Amber Miller discuss the importance of remembering and honoring moms on Mother's Day. They highlight the various ways people can pay tribute to their mothers–from setting up an altar in their homes to participating in charity works or doing acts of kindness. They also explore the role of grief and loss in Mother's Day...

In this episode, host Pete Waggoner and O’Connell Family Funeral Homes’ Amber Miller welcome Stress Awareness Month by discussing the different aspects of stress. From its usual symptoms to how it relates to grief and burnout, the two share their personal insights and experiences on the topic. They also delve into compassion fatigue and how one can cope with the stress brought by providing care an...

In this episode of Good Grief, Amber Miller and Pete Waggoner discuss local resources that can help those going through a difficult period of grief. Amber shares her knowledge and expertise on various types of resources such as counseling, support groups, and online platforms that can provide comfort and understanding during a time of loss. Pete puts emphasis on the importance of breathing exercis...