Journey to Grateful

In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore the often-misunderstood difference between “moving on” and “moving forward” after loss. While the phrase “move on” suggests leaving our loved ones behind, the reality is far different. Moving forward means carrying their love, their influence, and their memory with us into the life we are still building. I share personal reflections — from childhoo...

In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I share a deeply personal truth I’ve discovered in grief: that honoring our loved ones doesn’t mean staying stuck in mourning them. It means finding the courage to live fully, carrying their memory with us in every step forward. I talk about the tension between grief and guilt, and how we can shift the question from “Am I allowed to move forward?” to “How ca...

Grief comes in many forms — the loss of a spouse, a child, a parent, a sibling, or a close friend. Each loss is devastating in its own way, yet too often we fall into the trap of comparing one grief to another. In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore why grief should never be measured against someone else’s pain and how compassion allows us to connect across different kinds of loss. Thro...

The decision of whether — or when — to take off your wedding ring after losing a spouse is one of the most personal and emotional choices we face in grief. It’s not simply about jewelry; it’s about love, identity, and how we choose to honor the life we shared. In this episode, we’ll explore the many layers of this struggle: the pressure of outside expectations, the deep symbolism of the ring, and...

Losing someone you love doesn’t just take them from your life — it can feel like it takes you from yourself. In this heartfelt episode, I share how the death of my wife, Colleen, left me questioning who I was without her, and how grief reshapes our identity in quiet, complicated ways. From the roles we lose — spouse, partner, parent, child — to the slow, tentative steps of rediscovering who we are...

What happens when the world moves on, but your grief hasn’t? In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I reflect on the silence that often follows loss—when friends and family return to their normal routines, while you’re left navigating a reality that will never be the same. Now, more than five years after my wife Colleen’s passing, I share how grief continues to show up in unexpected ways, includi...

Grief doesn’t always come just once—it circles back when we least expect it. In this deeply personal episode, Tim shares the recent and sudden loss of a dear friend and how that grief ripples through his life, touching memories, love, and family all over again. From navigating the emotions of supporting a grieving family to confronting the echoes of his own loss, this conversation is a reminder th...

Milestones can carry a surprising weight in the grieving process. Birthdays, anniversaries, and holidays — even the quiet, ordinary dates that hold personal meaning — can stir up emotions we thought we’d tucked away. In this episode, we will explore how these moments can both ache with what’s missing and glow with the warmth of what was. Through personal stories, including the first anniversary of...

There’s no schedule for grief—yet so many of us feel the pressure to “move on” as weeks, months, or even years pass. In this heartfelt episode, Tim opens up about a recent, unexpected wave of emotion that reminded him just how present grief can still be, even five years later. Through a personal story of love, remembrance, and shared community, he explores why grief doesn’t expire, how it evolves...

Grief doesn’t just break your heart — it takes a toll on your entire body. In this episode of Journey to Grateful , host Tim Bigonia explores the physical symptoms of grief that often go unspoken: the fatigue, the brain fog, the muscle aches, the anxiety, and the general feeling that something just isn’t right. If you’ve recently experienced a loss, you may be wondering why your body feels so off....

Not all grief is tied to a moment or memory. Sometimes, the deepest pain comes from what never happened — the words left unsaid, the milestones missed, and the future you thought you’d share with someone you loved. In this episode of Journey to Grateful, we delve into the quiet, often unspoken aspect of grief: invisible losses. These are the “almosts,” the “what-ifs,” and the “we never got to…” mo...

In this episode of Journey to Grateful, I explore the powerful truth behind “It’s okay not to be okay.” I'll share why embracing your messy, honest feelings is not only normal but essential to healing. I'll also provide a heartfelt invitation to let go of the need to “be strong” and find real strength in simply being real. Today you will discover that it is truly okay not to be okay.

When a parent dies, teens face a unique, often silent struggle — and the surviving parent is left to guide them while carrying their own grief. In this heartfelt episode, Tim explores how parents can support their teen’s grief journey with compassion and patience, while helping them move forward in a healthy, authentic way. Learn how to hold space for your teen’s emotions, encourage an ongoing con...

We’re taught that men should be strong, stoic, and unbreakable — especially after losing a spouse. But real strength isn’t about hiding your pain; it’s about having the courage to feel it. In this episode, we explore what it means for men to show up fully in their grief, why vulnerability is a true sign of strength, and how embracing your emotions can help you build a new, more authentic life. Rea...

Grief isn’t just about missing the person you lost — it’s about mourning the entire world you shared with them. In this episode, we explore how loss touches every corner of your life: the routines, the imagined future, and the version of yourself that existed with them. By recognizing the full scope of what you’re grieving, you can better understand your pain and learn to be gentler with yourself...

Grief often feels heavy and isolating, but talking about it can bring unexpected healing and connection. In this episode, inspired by writer Liz Newman, we explore why sharing our grief matters, how it helps us honor those we’ve lost, and the power of being truly seen and heard. You’re not alone on this journey.

Grief often feels isolating, even in a room full of people. But letting ourselves be seen—truly seen—in our grief can unlock unexpected healing. In this episode, we explore the role of community in navigating loss: how to access support that actually helps, why vulnerability matters, and the quiet strength found in not walking this path alone.

In this episode of Journey to Grateful , I confront a question that’s echoed in the back of my mind more than I care to admit: What more can I say about grief? It’s not something others have asked — it’s a doubt that creeps in on its own. Join me as I explore why this question lingers, how past comments can still influence the way I carry my grief, and why I believe continuing the conversation is...

In this episode, I reflect on the approaching five-year mark since my loss—a milestone that still feels both distant and incredibly close. This time of year brings back the painful memories of those final weeks, filled with difficult truths and quiet goodbyes. I’m not sharing this to seek sympathy, but to shed light on the full arc of grief—the way it stretches far beyond the moment of loss. Throu...

Before we experienced grief ourselves, many of us did our best to support others — but often in ways we now realize may have missed the mark. In this episode, I share an article that resonated deeply with me, exploring the regrets people have about how they once showed up for grieving friends and loved ones. As I reflect on a few of these powerful insights, we'll uncover how our own grief journeys...

Grief lessons often appear where we least expect them. In this episode of Journey to Grateful , I share an inspiring story that, at first glance, may not seem connected to grief at all. But look a little closer, and you'll see how it reflects the strength, hope, and perspective we discover along this path. This isn’t just about grief — it’s about how we live with it, grow through it, and carry it...

Grief is a challenge — one that reveals itself slowly, day by day, turn by turn. In this episode, I invite you to walk alongside me as I explore the many pieces of grief’s puzzle, pieces we often don’t even know exist until we find ourselves carrying them. Many of us once believed we understood what grief was, only to realize it holds far more weight, complexity, and unexpected lessons than we ima...

In this episode of Journey to Grateful , I explore a powerful quote about grief from an unexpected source—a well-known public figure who reminds us that loss is a universal experience. No matter our background, status, or profession, grief connects us in profound ways, yet remains deeply personal. This quote highlights both the shared emotions and the unique journey of grief, inviting us to shift...

Anxiety is something many of us have encountered—whether through personal experience or by supporting someone who struggles with it. But when anxiety intertwines with grief, it takes on a sharper, more intense form, often catching us off guard. For some, significant anxiety doesn’t surface until they face a profound loss. In this episode, I’ll explore an insightful article on anxiety in grief, she...

As I originally planned this episode, the calendar still read 2024—but life, in the best way, had other plans. An incredible opportunity led me to expand my career in a direction I’ve long been passionate about, and saying “yes” to it brought a renewed sense of purpose, much like when I launched this podcast in 2021. Now, on the other side of that decision, I feel grounded in a way I haven’t for s...