As I Live and Grieve®

Send us some LOVE! Nick Gaylord found an unexpected beacon of hope in the form of podcasting. His journey, one that traverses the grief of losing a father and the unexpected solace found in dark humor, is the focal point of our latest episode. Nick shares his intimate story of coping with a complicated paternal relationship, infused with the bittersweet relief that followed his father's passi...

Send us some LOVE! Have you ever received a message that felt like it was sent from heaven? Our heartfelt discussion with Dave Roberts delves into this new world of AI and Grief Tech, where the bereaved find solace in AI-generated messages from those they've lost. We navigate the complexities and comforts of these services, balancing the poignant act of memorializing loved ones with the authe...

Send us some LOVE! As we grieve, we frequently encounter the shadow of who we used to be. Grief coach and author, Shelby Forsythia, joins me to share her deeply personal narrative of navigating the aftermath of her mother's death, revealing these intricate layers. Our conversation invites listeners to sit with the poignant truth that our old lives are forever altered, and our grieving reflect...

Send us some LOVE! As we navigate the delicate terrain of grief, Susie Taylor joins us to share her powerful story of love, loss, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. Through the memory of her son Evan, who bravely faced significant medical challenges since birth, we uncover the raw emotions and the unspoken bonds that form in the wake of such an incomparable loss. Susie's candid re...

Send us some LOVE! Today's guest is a kindred spirit, Vicki Paris Goodman, whose memoir "To Sam With Love" captures the essence of anticipatory grief. Our conversation covers that unexpected optimism and spiritual guidance that reach us in our depths of sorrow. We talk about both engaging in life and embracing solitude. We examine the unique experiences of anticipatory grief, the su...

Send us some LOVE! Join us today as Sonya Paz, opens up about guiding her sons through the grieving process after the passing of their father. Her story is a testament to the transformative power of art, as she shares the evolution of her work from somber tones to a celebration of color and life, taking cues from Picasso and American pop art. Through Sonya's varied platforms, including her ar...

Send us some LOVE! Today's episode finds us with the complete triad: an adoptive mother, an adoptee, and the biological mother who made the heart-rending decision to place her child for adoption in the 1960s. These experiences are real, punctuated by silent grief and laid bare for you, the listener. Their words reveal the lasting void such a decision can create, as well as the profound impact...

Send us some LOVE! I found clarity and understanding recently with the help of Vicki Dickson, who offered me some insight into Human Design . Our conversation was a deep dive into this complex system that blends astrology, the chakra system, the Jewish Kabbalah, and the I Ching to offer insights into our soul's purpose. As I recounted my journey of self-discovery during my husband's illn...

Send us some LOVE! In today's episode, Christine Samuel shares her intimate understanding of the intricate balance between analytical headspace and the intuitive heart space, particularly as it pertains to grief and life's inevitable changes. Once our understanding of this difference grows, we are asked to consider the following:  What if the borders we see on maps didn't really exi...

Send us some LOVE! When your heart is heavy with grief, finding a harbor in the storm can be your lifeline. Join me as I chat with Tammy Zumbo, a clinical social worker, who offers her insights on how those with empathic sensibilities manage loss.  Tammy's expertise offers comfort and a deeper understanding of the powerful intersection between empathy and grief. Do you know an empath? Are you...

Send us some LOVE! When the unimaginable happens, and our world turns upside down—there can be a financial implication that adds to the stress. Brian Bickett, a certified financial planner with an intimate understanding of loss, joins us to share his experience. His father's untimely passing and the direct impact on his mother is relatable for those wading through the aftermath of a loved one...

Send us some LOVE! When grief tugs at our hearts, finding solace can often light the way through the darkness. Join me as I chat with Susan Combs, who, in honoring her father—a distinguished major general and civilian judge— transformed her sorrow into a legacy of hope. In our compelling discussion, Susan shares how her father's battle with Agent Orange-related throat cancer brought unique ch...

Send us some LOVE! When hospice nurse Shelly Henry speaks about her work, it's with compassion that's both heart-wrenching and inspiring. This week, she joins us, sharing her journey through the emotional landscape of end-of-life care and her way of supporting hospice professionals through the Amity Group. Shelly's insights offer insight on not only the challenges nurses face, but a...

Send us some LOVE! When the sharp edges of loss cut through the fabric of everyday life, how does one tread the delicate path of returning to work? Claire Schwartz, a grief and trauma healing strategist with Miriamswell Healing, joins us to share her profound insights on this very challenge. In our heartfelt conversation, we unravel the intricacies of grief in the workplace, scrutinizing the curre...

Send us some LOVE! Have you ever considered the profound impact adoption has on all parties involved? Our heartfelt conversation with Vera Snow and Tina Langseth peels back the layers of joy and sorrow that constitute the adoption experience. As we traverse the emotional landscapes of the adoption triad, Vera, an adoptive mother of twins, and Tina, an adoptee, share their intimate stories of love,...

Send us some LOVE! When the unimaginable happens, and we lose those dearest to us, the journey through grief can be a solitary and complex path. It's a raw and vulnerable experience that Judy Lipson knows all too well, having lost both her sisters, Margie and Jane. She joins us today to share her poignant story of how suppressed sorrow can emerge after many years, and the profound strength sh...

Send us some LOVE! When the veil between our world and the next seems impenetrable, Melissa Peel, a psychic, medium, and healer, comes forth to illuminate the path. In our heartfelt discussion, Melissa distinguishes between the nuanced realms of mediumship and psychic insights, offering a beacon to those grappling with the enigmatic journey of the soul. My own transformative encounter with her rea...

Send us some LOVE! When the shadow of loss darkened my life, it was the haunting lullabies of sorrow that brought unexpected renewal. This episode, which is the inaugural episode of a new Podcast series by John Moir and Patricia Jones, hosts our very own Kathy as their first guest. Join John and Kathy as they discuss how grief molds the clay of our being into works of profound beauty.  Here, in th...

Send us some LOVE! Discover the poignant world of immigration grief with Vera Snow, a spiritual director whose life was irrevocably shaped by her parents' flight from Czechoslovakia. Vera's intimate understanding of the hardships faced by refugees becomes the centerpiece of our latest episode, where the past's urgent fight for survival meets the present's journey towards healin...

Send us some LOVE! Have you ever faced a trial so profound that it reshaped your entire existence? Faith Sage joins us with a heart-wrenching yet inspiring story of love, loss, and the blended family dynamic. Her candid sharing on the complexities of step-parenting and the grief-stricken path after losing her stepdaughter in a tragic car accident strikes a chord that resonates with the deepest par...

Send us some LOVE! Losing a loved one to substance use overdose is nothing short of heart-shattering. That's why we're joined by special guest Glen Lord, who turned his personal tragedy into a support network for others experiencing the same grief. Glen shares his journey with us, shedding light on how the loss of his loved one led him to create a program called "Walking with Grief....

Send us some LOVE! Losing a loved one is a profound and life-altering experience. Navigating the unique challenges of grandparent grief is our esteemed guest, Bradley Vinson. He opens up about the complexities faced by grandparents grieving the loss of a grandchild and having to support their own child in their grief simultaneously. Bradley's candid conversation sheds light on the often-overl...

Send us some LOVE! Can you remember a time when you felt completely lost, with nowhere to turn? Picture yourself trying to navigate through the heartbreak of reproductive trauma and grief. Our guest for this episode is Debbie Fischer, a specialized therapist whose personal experience with reproductive trauma has helped her guide countless others through their darkest times. We tackle tough topics,...

Send us some LOVE! Ever wondered why we're so tough on ourselves when dealing with grief? Grief is a journey nobody chooses, yet most of us will have to navigate at some point. Join us in this frank and enlightening discussion with our guest Gary Roe, a grief specialist, author, and speaker. He gets real about his own experiences, particularly the loss of his father, which became the catalyst...

Send us some LOVE! What if there was a tool, older than civilization itself, that could offer healing and relief in times of grief and distress? Pioneering psychotherapist and sound worker, Duff Stoneson, helps us explore this path as we delve into the captivating world of sound therapy. Walk with us on a journey of understanding the power and history of sound, and how it can be harnessed with the...