As I Live and Grieve®

Send us some LOVE! When AJ Coleman's wife was diagnosed with cancer while their daughter was just two months old, his life trajectory changed forever. Following his wife's passing, he found himself navigating the complex terrain of grief while simultaneously learning to be both mother and father to a young daughter who would never have her own memories of her mom. AJ shares how the title...

Send us some LOVE! Medical advocacy isn't just helpful—it can be life-saving. When Erin Galyean lost her father to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in 1997, she couldn't have known that 20 years later, her sister Megan would face the same diagnosis, complicated by a rare and aggressive lung disease. Through these painful experiences, Erin discovered that her professional background in pharmac...

Send us some LOVE! Dating after loss creates a turbulent emotional landscape. In this candid conversation, returning guest John Polo and I explore the fears, hopes, and practical realities of seeking new connections after being widowed. Our discussion reveals why dating feels so terrifying—from worries about becoming a caretaker again to navigating unfamiliar dating apps decades after last being s...

Send us some LOVE! What happens when life's most profound losses lead to unexpected growth? Join us as we sit down with Judith Kambia Obatusa, affectionately known as JKO, to explore her incredible journey through grief and resilience. Having experienced the unimaginable with the loss of her children and sister, JKO shares how her Nigerian-Canadian heritage and the memory of her father contin...

Send us some LOVE! Grief is a journey that no parent ever wishes to take, yet it is one that our guest, Larry, navigates with profound insight and courage. As a former Rolling Stone Magazine editor, Larry found solace in writing after the tragic loss of his son, Rob, to suicide. This episode offers a heartfelt exploration of how grief can transform parents, endowing them with extraordinary resilie...

Send us some LOVE! What role does acceptance play in healing from profound grief? Join us as we sit down with Chris Mamone, an acceptance coach whose personal experiences with loss have shaped his mission to help others navigate their journey through sorrow. Chris opens up about the heart-wrenching losses of his grandfather and infant son, sharing how these tragedies became pivotal moments in his...

Send us some LOVE! What happens when music becomes your lifeline through life’s toughest moments? Join us as we welcome Ken Rutley, a dedicated music enthusiast and recent widower, to share his poignant story of finding solace in melodies after the passing of his beloved wife, Lindy. Ken's heartfelt recounting reveals how songs serve as an emotional anchor, providing both joy and a path to na...

Send us some LOVE! Discover how one doctor's mission could reshape the primary care landscape as Dr. Robert Smith joins us to uncover the critical gaps in mental health advocacy. With primary care physicians shouldering 75% of mental health care responsibilities, Dr. Smith exposes the alarming consequences of inadequate training, resulting in misdiagnoses that echo through personal lives and...

Send us some LOVE! Facing the decision of what to do with a loved one's ashes can be an emotional and daunting task. I found myself in this position with my late husband Tom's ashes sitting on a shelf for years. Our episode today features David Perotto from Bartolomeo and Perotto Funeral Homes, who shares a wealth of knowledge about the various options available for managing ashes—from t...

Send us some LOVE! How do neurodiverse individuals manage the intricate journey of grief? Carolyn Jenkins returns to shed light on this profound question, drawing from her rich expertise in special education and personal experience as a widowed mom. She shares touching anecdotes and practical advice on how neurodiverse people uniquely adapt to everyday challenges while carrying the weight of loss....

Send us some LOVE! What happens when life's challenges lead you to discover your true purpose? In this episode, we sit down with Caren Paskel, who shares her personal transformation from an anxious, introverted child into a yoga teacher and abstract artist. Caren's candid revelations about her ongoing battles with depression and self-doubt highlight the transformative power that yoga and...

Send us some LOVE! Can you turn heartbreak into healing? Discover the remarkable journey of Claudia Castillo, author of "Symphony of the Soul," as she finds strength after the devastating loss of her son. Her story is a testament to the power of maintaining an open heart and mind, providing a beacon of hope for others seeking solace and spiritual connection with loved ones beyond the phy...

Send us some LOVE! Sibling grief is a deeply personal journey that often feels overlooked, yet its impact is profound and lasting. Join us as we engage with Annie Orenstein, a tech researcher and author of "Always a Sibling: The Forgotten Mourner's Guide to Grief," to uncover the complex emotions surrounding the loss of a sibling. Annie shares her heartfelt story about losing her br...

Send us some LOVE! Today, we're joined by Tara Wild, who shares an extraordinary story that unfolds during the pandemic. As Tara and her husband, Darcy, navigate the challenges brought by COVID-19, they discover the value of family time amidst the chaos. The narrative takes a heart-wrenching turn with Darcy's mysterious disappearance, prompting a community-driven search effort that highl...

Send us some LOVE! The conversation delves into the complexities of navigating grief after the holidays, focusing on practical strategies for healing and reflection. Listeners are encouraged to embrace creativity, set attainable goals, and seek community support to facilitate their journey through grief. • Importance of processing emotions after the holidays • Suggestions for reflecting on the pas...

Send us some LOVE! Imagine realizing in your 50s that the challenges you've been facing your entire life are actually symptoms of ADHD. That's exactly what happened to our guest, Carolyn Jenkins, a veteran special education teacher with more than four decades of experience. Carolyn shines a light on the often-misunderstood concept of neurodiversity, sharing her personal journey and how i...

Send us some LOVE! Discover how spirituality can be a beacon of light during times of loss with Catherine Duncan, an integrative spiritual consultant, ordained minister, and former hospice chaplain. Catherine shares her wisdom on finding meaning beyond religion, emphasizing the importance of presence and consciousness to navigate life's inevitable chaos and stress. Learn to balance joy and so...

Send us some LOVE! Shelby Forsythia, the grief coach renowned for her compassionate wisdom, returns us for a special holiday episode of "As I Live and Grieve." She shares her personal journey into the world of grief, a journey that began amidst the chaos of what she calls her "four years of Hell" in college. Shelby unveils her G-R-I-E-F method, a comforting framework designed t...

Send us some LOVE! As we navigate the holiday season, I take a moment to share my personal reflections and explore how these times can stir both joy and heartache. This solo episode offers a heartfelt letter from an imagined perspective of our late loved ones, challenging the notion that the holidays must always be joyous and perfect. Let this message be a gentle reminder that while the holidays m...

Send us some LOVE! Emily Thiroux Threatt's journey through loss and love offers an intense tale of resilience and renewal. From her cherished days with her first husband, Jacques Thoreau, a passionate bioethicist, to the unexpected path that led her to her second husband, whom she met through an online encounter, Emily's story is rich with life lessons. Our conversation with Emily is a h...

Send us some LOVE! John Polo returns to "As I Live and Grieve," bringing with him a moving account of enduring love and transformation. Discover the compelling ways love can persist beyond loss, and how John found the courage to open his heart again to his fiancée, Allie, all while honoring the memory of Michelle. We also touch upon the challenges of seeking connection and companionship,...

Send us some LOVE! How do you find the strength to rebuild your life after an unexpected tragedy? Today we sit down with Clarissa Maul, a remarried widow and dedicated bereavement advocate, who opens up about her harrowing journey following the sudden death of her husband, Rob, in a 2019 hiking accident. From her days as a homeschooling mom and communications consultant to navigating the overwhelm...

Send us some LOVE! Have you ever felt that silence holds more than just the absence of sound? In this heartfelt episode, Gina Gale Gray opens up about her astonishing journey with her son, Spencer, who taught her the unique language of telepathic communication. Despite living without the ability to speak or move independently for 23 years, Spencer communicated profound insights that transformed Gi...

Send us some LOVE! Ever wondered how to effectively support children and teens through the unimaginable pain of traumatic loss? Join us as we sit down with Jennifer Levin, a licensed therapist who specializes in traumatic grief, to uncover the essential steps needed for crisis support and stabilization. Jennifer enlightens us on the particular needs of young individuals facing sudden and unexpecte...

Send us some LOVE! Imagine starting a podcast from a light-hearted joke among friends, only to find it transforming into a deeply meaningful project. That's exactly what happened to Nick Gaylord, the creator of "Our Dead Dads." Join us as we welcome Nick back to share the deeply personal story behind his podcast, which began with humorous banter among his brothers and friends who, l...