As I Live and Grieve®

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Music is said to calm us at times, and at other times it can make us scream along with the lyrics. How about using music to assist our emotions in coming to the surface? Could toe tapping, progress to humming, then to getting up on our feet dancing? Why not? Listen to my conversation with Greg - let me know if you think music can help in our grief. Notes: Greg Halpen is...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: He's baaack! John returns to chat about taking care of ourselves while grieving. He offers a unique perspective about others around us. You really need to listen to this one... Notes: John Polo is a coach, author and speaker. In January of 2016, John lost his wife, Michelle, to cancer. From the rubble of everything that he once knew, consumed by desperation and des...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: With the pandemic mostly behind us, thoughts of those we lost remain. Victoria Noe realized the loss of numerous friends and shares how we often are unsupported in this grief. Despite how close or important these relationships were, they are not usually recognized as valid. Notes: Deep into her fourth career, St. Louis native Victoria Noe is a Chicago-based award-winnin...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: One of our favorite guests returns today, John Polo, along with Carolyn Gower. They have launched a brand new book, The Stupid Sh*t that People Say to Grievers. If you are grieving, this book may make you smile, or even laugh - it certainly will let you know you are not alone in hearing comments that were absolutely no help. Sadly, every comment in the book is something...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Loss creates a hole in our lives. We tend to look for that loss to heal, for the wound to close, for the hole to be replaced by something. Instead, Deva Joy shares her perspective of "whole" and "hole." Listen in... Notes: Deva Joy Gouss, LCSW, believes the most important aspect in a therapeutic relationship is the safety and sense of connection betw...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Is it possible to thrive after you lose someone you love? Perhaps not right away, but I (Kathy) can speak for myself and tell you that I feel I am thriving at this point of 5 years from the death of my husband. For now, the "How" is not important, it is merely the fact that it is, I believe, possible. One essential ingredient is community - the people in my li...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: There is little our current healthcare system can offer us in the way of relief  from symptoms of grief. We have occasionally discussed alternatives and Josephine Spilka joins us today to introduce us to some options from the Chinese traditions, primary meditation. There is much more to meditation that closing our eyes and humming. Check it out! Notes: Josephine says, &...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Books and methodology about grieving is growing more popular, with a trend of moving from grief to hope, redefining our lives, and finding new happiness. Paulette shares with us her journey, as well as what may be the most basic of methods. Notes: Paulette earned a Master’s Degree in psychology from CUNY, Hunter College, and is certified as a Grief Recovery professional...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: As we move through our grief, we realize support is likely the most needed resource. Occasionally we find a way to create a legacy to those we love. Bryan Jung has done just that, for the niche of those who lost a parent when they were just a child. This is Why is Bryan's legacy in memory of his father. Bryan recognized the power of storytelling and offers a safe s...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: We are delighted to have Stacy Francis return for this episode. She always has terrific advice regarding our finances and today she offers some tips especially for widows that are time sensitive. If you aren't a widow, you may also find this info very helpful. Notes: Stacy Francis is President and CEO of Francis Financial, a fee-only boutique wealth management, fin...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Dr. Tomas Garza joins us today in a discussion about spirituality, meditation and grief. The practice of meditation is one that may offer comfort and support while grieving, as it helps balance our minds and emotions. It is, however, important that we learn to properly channel our minds to achieve the benefit. Notes: Rev. Tomás Garza is a teacher of A Course in Miracles...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: We have established that Grief and Death are not easy topics. Yet they should be, as they are both natural aspects of our lives.  Dr. Heather Browne joins us today to help us become more comfortable with the uncomfortable-ness of Death. Notes: As a relationship expert, Dr. Heather Browne has worked with thousands of individuals and couples in psychotherapy.  She is publ...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: It's one thing to lose your partner in death, but a whole layer of complexity, pain, anger and sometimes even guilt comes into play when you lose a partner, a soulmate, by suicide. Michelle Ann Collins is making that journey through grief and shares her thoughts in this candid episode. Listen in... Notes: As the founder of Inhabit Joy, Michelle Ann Collins partners...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: The title of death doula may not be familiar to many of us, yet the presence of one may be invaluable as a loved one transitions. Anne-Marie gives us a touching perspective as a death doula herself. Notes: Of Irish Celtic and Finnish Sámi (Indigenous European) descent, Anne-Marie is a community deathcare educator, lead teacher of the death doula training Village Deathca...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: It is our goal to find ideas, modalities and resources to help those grieving. In this episode, we chat with Litsa Williams, of What's Your Grief , one of the most popular online resources for those grieving. Find out what you can find if you visit and join their community. Notes: Litsa herself says she has "taken a winding road" to where she is now as Pr...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: People so often underestimate the devastation caused by losing a child during pregnancy. They do not understand the complexity of losing a child, losing dreams and a life raising that child and sometimes losing the ability to have another child. Elyse Falzone, who has previously been a guest talking about crystals, returns to share her intimate story of loss. Listen in....

Send us some LOVE! Summary: What a beautiful analogy it might be to consider our grief as a chrysalis surrounding us, in some ways isolating, in others protecting us as we heal. Then, at some point, we break through the layers in a type of rebirth, having redefined ourselves and our lives. Listen in as Meg Nocero shares her personal story as told in her book, Butterfly Awakens: A Memoir of Transfo...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Our grief can take many shapes as we work through it, cope with the numerous symptoms and emotions. Sometimes we take care of ourselves, sometimes not; sometimes we know where we are headed, sometimes not. Today, Debra  (or Deb D as she calls herself) shares her journey from the Land Downunder. Notes:  Debra has practiced and taught spiritual development and healing pra...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Sometimes we, as women, are so lost in our own grief that we lose sight of the fact that the men in our lives are also grieving. We also need to be aware that men grieve differently than we do. Listen in as Tony offers more insight into how men grieve and what we can do to support them, as they try to support us. Notes: Tony Lynch is a certified grief coach, specializin...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: As we grieve, how do you view your furry friend - as a responsibility and a chore OR a source of comfort and support? Dr Renee Alsarraf chats with us today about her experiences and the unconditional love of our four-legged children. Notes: Dr. Renee Alsarraf has created four different veterinary oncology practices and led three veterinary radiation facilities. She has...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: If the thought of putting yourself back out there to find a new love, not as a replacement, but because you know you aren't meant to be alone, you must listen to Debbie Weiss share her experiences.  Why? Well - trust me - just listen. Notes: Debbie's memoir, Available As Is: A Midlife Widow’s Search For Love ,  is about creating a new life and finding her voic...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Grief 2 Hope is, according to the cover, "A mother's memoir of devastation to determination." Hope Reger is proof positive that moving forward doesn't mean you can't look back. Using her grief to propel herself forward, she created Grief 2 Hope as a support for those grieving, and at the same time creating a legacy for her son. Listen in ... Not...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: We've talked about helping children who are grieving, but Katie Lear adds activities and play to her therapy modalities. Her specialty is helping tweens and this conversation will make you smile as she tells her stories. Her book is filled with activities  that will support parents, teachers and everyone who wants to help ease the grief journey for children.  Notes...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Holiday season is upon us and adds a complexity to our grief. Whether it be memories that trigger a resurgence of grief symptoms, or fear of being around family and friends who we feel may not understand our emotions, this upcoming season may already be adding stress to our days. With special comments on men and grief, Alexandra Maas chats with us about this important i...

Send us some LOVE! Summary: Words are important and sometimes can settle your emotions. Likewise, they can add to the intensity. However, words don't always come easily for us. Poetry can speak for us, mirroring our thoughts and helping us to acknowledge our emotions.  Listen in as Kara Bowman talks about her poems and treats us with a few readings. Notes: Kara Bowman, LMFT, CT, CCTP, C-GC, i...