GRIEF AND LIGHT

What role does movement play in grief? Emily P. Bingham is a certified grief educator, grief coach, widow, and founder of moveTHRU , which she created after the loss of her husband, Ian, in 2019 to Uveal Melanoma. moveTHRU was born as a way to create new meaning out of her tragedy by helping others heal. Her book -- LOVE AND GRIEF: Find Healing, Meaning & Purpose in Life After Loss -- teaches...

In this episode, we deep dive into the reality of experiencing life's duality in its fullness as guest, Kera Sanchez, experienced both the birth of her daughter and the unexpected loss of her mother only a few days apart. She shares how her grief left her with no choice but to turn "lemons into lemonade" as she learned to navigate loss and joy through the power of dark humor and com...

Trigger Warning: Discussion of sensitive topics. Listener discretion is advised. What role does creative expression play in navigating the complexities of grief? Eileen Kielty , founder of Kaia Evolutions ,  a culmination of her life’s work and a love letter to her sister, Katie, who died by suicide in June of 2019. She has degrees in both dance and psychology, as well as extensive training in som...

“Grieving room is endangered in a culture that thinks it is more helpful to rush past grief than to lean into it.” Leanne Friesen is the brilliant soul behind the groundbreaking book, " Grieving Room: Making Space for All the Hard Things After Death and Loss. " As the curator of the popular Instagram platform, @grieving.room , she has cultivated a nurturing space for those navigating the...

"Grief is not this OR that; it's this AND that." - Nina Rodriguez Grief thrusts us into the messy middle, which in time may become the magical middle. But what the heck is it anyway?! The irony of this universal experience is that it's so unique to each experiencer, the answer of what is it depends on who you ask. That said, there are some words, descriptions and frameworks tha...

There are losses that rearrange our understanding of life and how we show up in the world. The death of a young person, a baby, a spouse or a sibling can be particularly devastating, due to the traumatic and out-of-order elements surrounding the loss. Surviving  one loss can feel unbearable. But all four? Today’s guest shares her story of immense loss — a journey marked by the departure of her one...

Clinically Trained, Mystically Guided. Casey Stevens embodies the philosophy encapsulated in this motto. She is a Spiritual Psychotherapist and Consciousness Coach, and founder of Shrink Bigger . Casey shares her deeply personal journey of transformation, from navigating the loss of her husband and ensuing grief to embracing her true calling as an embodied healer. Through candid reflections and pr...

How does grief impact our mental health, and what strategies can we employ to nurture our well-being through times of loss and transition? Join us as we explore the intersection of grief and mental health with the amazing Dr. Mekel Harris , Memphis-based licensed psychologist helping other perfectly imperfect folks navigate life's challenges in order to grow in lifestyle, love, leadership, an...

"Everybody else rushed me past the agony, but grief is the one and only voice that told me, 'take as long as you need'." J.S. Park – As Long As You Need Life-altering loss and grief can alter our perception of time, an effect experienced by many grievers that I like to call "grief time".  Grief time is non-linear, both a blink and an eternity. Grief also demands your...

How can a mother move forward after the life-altering death of her son? Is it even possible? Our guest is on a mission to bring hope to those who navigate the challenging journey of grief, the trauma of loving someone suffering from substance use disorder, and the reality of life after losing a child. Kathy Wagner is a grief-focused writer and author, and a mother of three grown children who under...

In this deeply introspective episode, Catherine Baars opens up about her personal experiences with grief, especially in the context of navigating a complex relationship with her father, whom she lost a mere six months as of this recording.  For as long as she can remember, Cat's relationship with her father was strained due to his substance use disorder, which eventually led to their estrange...

Carlos Duran , shares his inspiring story, from the turbulent streets of Wheehawk, New Jersey, to the mountains of Costa Rica. His story is a testament to the power of transformation through nature and plant-based medicine, and the resilience of the human spirit. Growing up, Carlos faced the challenges of a violent and abusive household that left him feeling separate, disconnected, and profoundly...

What is your grief bias?  (Hint: You have one. We all do.) Our beliefs about grief, or grief biases, define how we show up for ourselves and each other. They become particularly evident when we experience a loss or life-altering circumstances. Inspired by the profound insights gained from Megan Devine's Grief Care Professional Certificate Program, this episode peels back the layers of treatin...

Is it possible to begin grieving a loss after 30 years? Join us as we delve into the profound impact of grief on our lives and the importance of opening up the conversation surrounding it. Judy Lipson is the author of Celebration of Sisters: It Is Never Too Late To Grieve , winner of Literary Titan’s 2021 Silver Award. The sole survivor of three sisters, Judy founded Celebration of Sisters , an an...

Welcome to the Season 2 of the Grief and Light Podcast! Season 2 is a deliberate exploration of the "Anatomy of Grief," aiming to demystify the misunderstood aspects of grief and offer a platform for diverse voices to share their unique stories, resources, experience, education and more. We're not just talking about grief; we're redefining what it means to be grief-informed. By...

A message for the new year… I'm about to reveal a "secret" that's been a quiet cornerstone of my journey – a confession that feels like turning a page in our shared narrative.  As we stand at the threshold of a new year, I want to express my deepest gratitude to the soul tribe that has grown with me since the podcast's inception on March 30th, 2023.  The journey, which beg...

What would you do if your only sibling, your sister, was diagnosed with a terminal illness the day after giving birth to her second child? In this heartfelt episode, we embark on an intimate conversation with the remarkable Dr. Kelly S. Thompson , delving into the intricacies of her military upbringing and the unique sisterhood she shared with Meghan. Kelly candidly shares the challenges of naviga...

The sudden death of a parent, the loss of three close friends, and a sexual assault were among the catalysts of Jonathan Niziol’s 15-year spiral into alcohol, drugs, exercise addiction, anxiety and depression. His story, however, was kept hidden behind a carefully-constructed social media exterior, until now… Raised in a serene Canadian farm, Jonathan Niziol's life is soon shadowed by the unt...

Join us for a magical conversation with Danielle Catherine Baker, a dedicated mother, women's health mentor, doula and female yoga teacher. She lives nomadically with her family, hosts Women's Circle Online, and women's circles wherever she lands. Danielle is also the host of the Depths of Motherhood Podcast , where she welcomes guests to raise awareness for undisturbed birth and co...

Handle with care.  My intention is always to honor my guests’ truths, stories, their loved ones’ stories, and to deliver these heart-felt stories to you as a listener with care. Some stories are more layered than others. In this episode, we hear from a brave sister, Brittany Merz, doing everything in her power to honor her beloved sister, Samantha, who, as of this recording, passed a mere 10 weeks...

"I never understood why when someone dies the bereaved post quotes with photos of nature — waves, sunsets, clouds, rain … and then my brother died. My only sibling.  And I found myself living somewhere between the earth and the sky, crying into the sunset, because I finally understood that nature is the only force capable of holding the magnitude of my grief. " - Nina Rodriguez In the ea...

Meet Andrianna, a remarkable young woman who experienced the heartbreaking loss of her brother, Christopher, just three years ago. This devastating loss, along with having to navigate a complex relationship with her mother, shaped her path and mission to create a community of support and understanding.  Andrianna is a certified family life educator, holds a B.S in Human Development & Family St...

In this heartfelt conversation, my husband, Cesar, and I delve into the complex dynamics of adult sibling loss, and how it has tested, strengthened, and reshaped our relationship. You will hear a candid exploration of the grief journey from a husband's perspective, providing unique insights into the challenges and triumphs of grieving as a couple. We share our experiences, discussing the init...

In this episode, we explore how grief can transform and redefine our personal boundaries, either drawing them closer or pushing them further away, as well as how grief triggers, such as anger or sadness, can serve as indicators of these shifting boundaries. The episode also highlights the challenge of communicating these changing boundaries to others, and emphasizes the importance of honoring them...

Watch the video on YouTube *** This episode is dedicated to our brothers and sisters in Lāhainā, Maui , who suffered the tremendous loss of their lives, loved ones, homes, and life as they knew it as a result of the catastrophic wildfires on August 2023. We encourage you to support the ongoing rescue and relief efforts. Here are some organizations making a difference: The Maui Strong Fund from the...