A Guide to After Life

Have you been struggling to access free grief support or would like to support someone who is going through a bereavement? This episode might be for you. Let’s explore alternative ways of learning about grief and moving beyond traditional counselling and therapy. I had the pleasure of talking to Dr. Melissa Lunardini, Chief Clinical Officer at Help Texts, a text-based grief support platform. We di...

Navigating Dating After Loss  Episode Overview: As we are approaching Valentine's Day and are just about to watch Bridget Jone's new film on dating as a widow and a single mum, my mind was preoccupied with preparing an episode addressing the complexities of modern dating after losing a life partner. In this episode, we are exploring the conflicting emotions that arise when grief and the prosp...

Our conversation with Mandy Gosling on childhood bereavement explored the profound and long-lasting impact of losing a parent in childhood. Mandy's personal story and professional insights shed light on how early loss shapes our lives, often in ways we don't fully realise until adulthood. Key Points to Reflect On: Children grieve differently from adults. Their grief may not always be obvious, but...

  A Rollercoaster Marriage: Navigating Loss of a Partner with Dr Louise Lomas, Educational and Child Psychologist  Overview:  This episode dives deep into the turbulent waters of complex grief, exploring the unspoken truths about marriages and loss when relationships are far from perfect. Dr. Louise Lomas, a child & educational psychologist, shares her personal journey of love,...

Season 2, Episode 1: Grief Comes Before Death: Anticipatory Grief with Claire Dawson & Tatum De Roeck from Shine, Cancer Charity. Episode Overview: This episode delves into the often-overlooked realm of anticipatory grief, exploring the complex emotions and challenges faced by partners of individuals diagnosed with incurable cancer. I had an absolute honour to talk to two inspirational women:...

Welcome to A Guide to After Life, your go-to podcast for young widows. I’m your host, Dr. Monika Wieliczko, a psychologist and a fellow widow, helping you move from surviving to thriving after loss.  Following on from a highly acclaimed first season, I’m delighted to announce Season 2 begins on 21st January. I’m excited to announce I will be joined by world renowned grief experts and authors...

As we close Season One of A Guide to After Life , I want to take a moment to reflect on the meaningful conversations we’ve had over the past three months. It’s been a deeply moving journey, exploring grief and resilience through the lens of different experiences and perspectives. In this episode, I look back on some of the key themes we’ve touched on: The complexities of relationships after loss a...

In this eye-opening episode of "A Guide to Afterlife," Dr. Monika Wieliczko and Dr. Magdalena Goryczko dive deep into the complex world of guilt and grief, offering invaluable insights for young widows navigating the aftermath of loss. Key Discussion Points: 1. The unexpected feelings that arise after losing a partner, including relief and anger 2. How societal expectations can clash with a young...

 Are you a grieving widow struggling to support your children through loss? This episode is for you. Dr Ceri Savage de Lifsitz, a consultant clinical psychologist specialising in child development, joins us to explore how children grieve and how you can help them navigate this difficult journey. Learn about: - How children's grief differs from adults' - Age-appropriate ways to discuss death a...

Episode Summary: In this deeply moving episode of A Guide to After Life , I sit down with Emma Gray, an award-winning grief and life coach and former Wills and Probate solicitor. Together, they navigate the heart of “sadmin” – the overwhelming and often isolating task of managing a loved one’s end-of-life administration. Emma shares her journey of becoming a widow and single parent following her h...

In this episode, we are exploring the connection between grief and the body, and how physical symptoms like tension, shallow breathing, and even inflammation are often silent companions to emotional pain resulting from grief. If you’re a widow struggling with these physical manifestations of grief, this conversation with Dr. Beth Stroyde might resonate deeply with you. Dr. Beth Stroyde and I discu...

In this episode, Dr. Paula Redmond, a clinical psychologist discusses the therapeutic benefits of knitting during grief. She explains that knitting involves repetitive, rhythmical movements that can lower blood pressure and induce relaxation. Knitting also provides a sense of accomplishment and progress, which can be especially valuable during times of grief when individuals may feel stuck or help...

I am back this week with a new episode of the podcast with my dear colleague Dr. Katja Windheim, a clinical psychologist talking about what happens when grief gets complicated and when to seek support. We are going to help you to think about: - The difference between normal grief responses and more complex forms of grief. - Helping you identify signs that your grief might be complicated or stuck -...

🎙️ Episode Summary: In this powerful episode of "A Guide to Afterlife," I sit down with trauma expert Dr. Yvonne Waft to unpack the complex intersection of grief and trauma when losing a life partner. Get ready for an eye-opening discussion that will change how you think about loss and resilience. 🔑 Key Takeaways: • Discover what trauma really means and how it can hijack your grieving process • L...

Join me and Dr. Amber Johnston in a fascinating conversation to discover the intricate workings of the grieving brain. Discover how the your brain functioning is impacted by grief, find out the role of neuroplasticity in emotional processing and adaptation to the new reality of life after loss. Finally, listen in to find out how to hack your brain's overactive alarm systems to...

In this insightful conversation, Dr. Monika Wieliczko and Dr. Rachel Master explore the challenging journey of solo parenting while grieving the loss of a life partner. They address how grief impacts parenting abilities and the emotional landscape this creates. The discussion highlights the ever-present pressure to be a "perfect parent" and creates a space to reflect on how to let go of these impo...

This conversation is part two of a series about relationships after loss. In this episode, I am talking to Sara's daughter, Lola, about her experiences of the loss of a parent at a young age. The conversation explores the memories and sensory experiences the Lola has of the father, as well as the role of other family members and pets in preserving those memories. The discussion also touches on the...

In this conversation, Dr. Sara Johnson, a clinical psychologist and a widowed parent, shares with us her experiences and challenges of navigating relationships after the loss of her husband, Rory. Sara shares with us her journey of coping with grief, managing her own emotions while also having to look after others as well as the difficulty of adjusting to a new identity as a single parent. She dis...

Welcome to A Guide to After Life, your go-to podcast for the young and widowed. This is your weekly space to help you live through grief. I’m your host, Dr Monika Wieliczko, a psychologist and your fellow widow. I’m bringing psychological skills to boost your resilience and help you make room for life while you grieve. Listen in to insightful conversations with grief experts and those touched by a...